could not be so severe as to judge other men's Sons to death The two other Delegates also affirmed the same and some others followed their advice But Volumnius was the first that pronounced the sorrowful Sentence after whom all the rest followed some to flatter Herod some for hatred they bare him but none for any indignation against the young men Then all Judaea and Syria expected an end of this Tragedy yet no man thought Herod such a Tyrant as to put his two Sons to death Herod caused his Sons to be brought to Tyre and from F thence by Ship he conveighed them to Caesarea bethinking himself what death he should put them to Tyro an old Soldier exclaimeth against Herod's cruelty In the mean time there was an old Soldier of the King 's named Tyro who had a Son belonging to Alexander and highly in his favour and he himself greatly loved the two young men who being very much grieved in mind at that which had past went about crying that Justice was trodden under foot Truth opprest the Sentiments of Nature extinguished and the Actions of Men full of iniquity and whatsoever else grief could put into the mind of a man who nothing esteemed his own life At last this Tyro came boldly to the King and said unto him O King thou seemest to me most unhappy who givest credit to wicked and vile persons against thy dearest Sons for Pheroras and Salome thou believest before thine own Children whom G notwithstanding thou hast often sound to have deserved death and thou perceivest not that they do this to the intent to make thee want lawful Successors and leave thee none but Antipater whom in their hearts they would have King because they can rule him as they list But bethink thy self O King how all thy Soldiers will hate him for the death of H his two Brethren for there is no man that doth not pity the two young men and many of the Nobility are displeased hereat After he had spoken this he named them who were displeased Whereupon the King commanded them and him and his Son to be laid hold on Tyro with his Son are by the King's Command laid hands on And presently one of the King's Barbers named Tryphon shewing himself to be in I know not what fury came forth and said to Herod Tyro perswaded me to kill thee with my Razor promising me that if I would so do Alexander would give me a great reward Herod hearing this caused Tyro and his Son and the Barber to be tortured Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. the two former denied all and the Barber affirmed nothing more than he had already said Then he commanded Tyro to be more tormented whereupon Another false Accusation against Tyro his Son moved with compassion towards his Father promised to disclose all I the matter to the King if he would pardon his Father and being released of his torments presently declared that his Father through Alexander's means and procurement was purposed to have killed him Many that were present thought it was a device of the young man to free his Father from torments but others were perswaded that it was true Upon this Herod made a speech unto the people wherein he inveighed against the Officers of his Army and Tyro and made the people arm themselves Herod commandeth his Sons to be strangled and to be buried with Alexander their Mother's Uncle and kill them with staves and stones After which he sent his Sons to Sebaste which was not far from Caesarea and there he caused them to be strangled and having quickly dispatched the matter he ordered them to be brought to the Castle Alexandrium there to be buried with their Mother's Uncle And this was the K end of Alexander and Aristobulus CHAP. XVIII Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod ANtipater now hoped without all controversie to succeed in the Kingdom Ant. lib. 17. cap. 21. but he became generally hated of the whole Nation for it was openly known that he by false calumniations had caused his Brethren's death And on the other side L he stood in no little fear of their Children whom he perceived to begin to grow to years For Alexander had by Glaphyra two Sons Tygranes and Alexander and Aristobulus had by Bernice Daughter to Salome five Children to wit three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus and two Daughters Herodias and Mariamne Herod after he had put Alexander to death sent away Glaphyra with her Dowry into Cappadocia and married Bernice Aristobulus's Wife to Antipater's Uncle for Antipater had devised this Match to become friends with Salome whom before he hated and envied Antipater striveth by Gifts and Bribes to creep into men's favours He also by his great Gifts sought to get Pheroras's favour and the Friendship of such as were Friends to Caesar sending to that end great summs of money to Rome He gave Saturninus and all the rest great Riches in Syria But the more he M gave the more he was hated of all men for every one considered his Presents not as proofs of his Liberality but as effects of his Fear so that he got not the love of them upon whom he bestowed them and they to whom he gave nothing were so much the more his enemies Yet he continued his bounty rather than diminished it when he saw against his expectation Herod made much of these Orphans whose Parents he had slain Intending to shew how much he repented their deaths by the pity and compassion he took of their Children For assembling together his friends he caused the Children to be placed by him and the tears standing in his eyes he said Since my ill Fortune hath taken away from me the Fathers of these Children Herod grievously bemoneth his Sons expressing the same by his commisseration towards their Children there is no care so great which Nature and my compassion of their present condition obligeth me not to N take of them Wherefore I will endeavour that seeing I have been a most unfortunate Father I may be a most affectionate Grand-father and leave them who are most dear unto me to reign after me In order whereunto Brother Pheroras said he I betroth your Daughter to Alexander 's eldest Son to the end that this Alliance may oblige you to serve in stead of a Father to him and to your Son Antipater said he I assure the Daughter of Aristobulus Herod betrotheth his Nephews that so you may be the same to her and my Son Herod Grand-son by his Mother to Simon the High Priest shall marry her Sisster This is my will and pleasure touching this matter and let no man who loveth me seek to alter it And I beseech Almighty God to prosper these Marriages to the good of my Countrey and of these my Nephews and to look upon these Children with a more favourable eye than he did upon their Fathers O Having thus spoken
Timaeus Z. Zophyrion Imprimatur Decem. 7. 1675. Geo. Hooper R mo D no. Arch. Cant. a Sacr. Domest A The Life of FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Son of Matthias Written by himself B FOrasmuch as I derive my Original Josephus Lineage by a long series of Ancestors from the Sacerdotal Race I may with some reason value my self upon the Nobleness of my Birth since as every Nation places the Grandeur of a Family in some certain marks of Honour that accompany it so amongst us 't is one of the most signal to have the administration of Holy things But I am not onely descended of the stock of the Priests I am also of the First of the Four and twenty Families of which it consists and whose Dignity is eminent above the rest To which I may add That by my Mothers side I reckon Kings amongst my Ancestors For the Branch of the Asmoneans from whom she descended for a C long time exercised both the High Priesthood and Princely Power among our Nation In this manner stands the order of the last of my Predecessors My great Grandfafathers Grandfather Simon sirnamed Psellus the stutterer lived at such time as Hircanus was High Priest the first of that Name and the Son of Simon the High Priest This Simon Psellus had Nine Sons the one of which was Matthias sirnamed Aphlias This Matthias took to Wife the Daughter of the High Priest Jonathan by whom he had one Son who was Matthias sirnamed Curtus who was born in the first year of Hircanus's Priesthood Matthias begat Joseph in the Ninth year of Alexander's Government and of Joseph came Matthias in the Tenth year of the Reign of Archelaus and Matthias begat me in the First year of the Empire of Caius Caesar Joseph the Son of Matthias was born in the first year of Caius Caesars Empire and the 4001 year of the world and the 39 after Christs birth I likewise have D Three Sons mine eldest is Hircanus who was born in the Fourth my next Justus who was born in the Seventh and Agrippa my last who was born in the Ninth year of Vespasians Empire This Genealogy of mine do I in this manner propose according as I have found it written in the Publick Registers to the end to confound the Calumnies of my Enemies My Father Matthias was considerable for his Extraction but more for his Justice and Authority in Jerusalem which is the Metropolis of our Countrey My bringing up during my tender years was with Matthias who was my Brother by the same Father and Mother with whom I happily profited in all kind of Science having a good Memory Joseph from his infancy very studious and addicted to learning and a quick Apprehension so that being yet a Child of Fourteen years of E Age I was praised by all Men in regard of the good Affection I had to Learning and the Priests and Noblest Citizens vouchsaf'd to ask my Opinion of things that concerned our Laws and Ordinances About the Age of Sixteen years my desire was to have a search and insight into the Sects of our Nation which are Three The first of the Pharisees which is the chiefest The second of the Sadduces And the third of the Esseans And this I did to the end I might choose the better of the Three when I understood them all For which cause with great Austerities and Labours I passed thorow them all and not content with this Experience after I had heard that a certain man called Banus lived in the Desart clothing himself with that which the Trees brought forth and feeding on no other kind of meat but what they freely yielded F and washing himself oftentimes by day and night in cold water to keep himself chaste I began to imitate his course of Life and after I had lived with him for the space of Three years and satisfied my desires I returned to the City at the Age of Nineteen years At this time I began to engage my self in the exercise of a civil Life Joseph a Pharisee following the Sect of the Pharisees which very neerly resembleth that Sect among the Grecians who are called Stoicks After I was Six and twenty years old it was my fortune to repair to Rome upon this occasion Whilst Foelix governed Judea certain Priests my familiars men of much honour and more virtue were upon some slight occasion bound and sent to Rome by his commandment to answer to what should be objected against G them in Caesar's presence Whereupon being desirous to do them service and having special intelligence that the Torments wherewith they were Martyred lessened not their Piety but that they lived contentedly on Figs and Nuts for this cause I departed for Rome and was encountred with many great and grievous hazards by Sea For the H ship Joseph's shipwrack wherein I sailed was wrackt in the midst of the Adriatick Sea and about Six hundred of us were forc't to swim all Night long and at Day-break by God's Providence a Cyrenian ship came in sight and both I and certain others to the number of Fourscore out-swimming the rest were taken up into it and saved After I had in this sort escaped I came to Dicaarchia which the Italians call at this day Puteoli and grew acquainted with Aliturus a Jew born who was a Comedian and in good reputation with Nero by whose means insinuating my self into the Emperess Poppea's knowledge Joseph obtaineth the Priests liberties I determined to beseech her to procure the liberty of those Priests with all expedition which she accordingly did and being gratified likewise by her with many great gifts I returned into my Countrey There I found the Commonwealth I much disquieted with Factions and Troubles The Jews seditious and divers too prone and ready to Rebel and withdraw their Allegiance from the Romans I inforced my self to repress the seditious and exhorted them to change their opinions representing before their eyes the quality of those against whom they enterprized War with whom they could neither compare in experience of War nor in good Fortune For this cause I advised them not to hazard the overthrow of themselves their Children and their Countrey by their rashness and rage Joseph dehorteth the Jews from sedition is suspected by them of treason To this effect I spake to them and instantly intreated them to desist from their unhappy resolution for that I foresaw that the end of this War would prove to our utter Ruine but I prevailed nothing with them The fury of desperate and dissolute men prevailed above reason for which cause fearing lest by K continual inforcing of one thing I should grow into hatred and suspition amongst them as if I favoured their enemies and they should put me to death seeing that the Fort of Antonia was already seized upon by the seditious I retired my self into the Sanctuary From whence after Manahem and the chiefest Revolters
that are called Hesperians in Aethiopia and Sabaeus founded the Sabeans M As for Nimrod the sixth son of Chus Nabrodes or Nâ—mbroth he setled his Colony upon the Confines of Babylon and tyrannized there as is before declared All the eight sons of Misraim occupied all the Countrey from Gaza unto Egypt Palestine so named of Philestine but onely one of the eight named Philistin hath left his name to the Countrey which he possess'd for the Greeks call a part thereof Palestine As touching the rest Lom Enam and Labim Nethem Phetrosim Chestem Chreesene and Chepthom we know neither of their actions nor of their names except Labim who planted a Colony in Lybia and gave his name to it For the Aethiopians whereof hereafter we shall make mention overthrew their Cities Canaan also had eleven sons The Children of Canaan amongst whom Sidonius built and named Sidon a City in N Phoenicia and Amathus built Amath which at this day the Inhabitants call Amatha though the Macedonians call it Epiphania which signifies famous from the name of one of its Princes Arudeus possessed the Isles of Arudus and Ariceus built the City of Arce upon mount Libanus As for the other seven Eveus Cheteus Jebuseus Eucleus Sineus Samarcus and Gorgeseus there is no memory remaining of them in Sacred Scriptures but onely their names For the Hebrews razed their Cities upon the occasions which I am going to relate After the Deluge Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. when the earth was established in its first estate Noah gave himself to Tillage Gen. 9. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. and planted Vineyards and when the Fruit thereof was ripe and he had pressed and made Wine thereof he drank and banquetted after he had done sacrifice being thereby made drunk and overpressed with sleep he lay discovered in a most unseemly O and shameful fashion which when Cham his younger son beheld he scornfully discover'd it to his Brothers who being asham'd cover'd their Father's nakedness with A reverence Noah is made drunk lieth naked and is scorned and curseth him that derideth him Which fact of his coming to the knowledge of Noah he wished all felicity to the two other and as touching Cham out of a fatherly tenderness he cursed him not but only his posterity after him who accordingly were punisht for the sin of their Forefather as we shall shew hereafter Sem the third son of Noah had five sons who inhabited the Countrey of Asia beginning at Euphrates Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and extending to the Indian Ocean For Elimis the eldest left the Elimeans or Elamites for his Successors whence proceeded the Persians Assur the second built the City of Ninive Gen. 7. 1. and gave his Subjects the name of Assyrians who were rich above all the rest Of the Sons of Sem the third Son of Noah and of theirs and Abraham's Progeny Arphaxad the third named those of his command Arphaxadians who at this day are called Chaldeans Aram the fourth had the Arameans whom the Greeks call Syrians B And from Ludis the fifth came the Ludéans who at this day are called Lydians Of those four sons which Aram had Vses dwelt in the Region of Trachonites and built the City of Damascus scituate between Palestine and that part of Syria which is sirnamed Caeler or hollow Otrus obtained Armenia Gether Bactria Misas was father to the Mezaneans whose Countrey is called at this day the valley of Pasin Sale Arphaxad's son was Heber's father from whose name in times past the Hebrews were denominated Heber begat Jucta and Phaleg The original of the Hebrews who was so called for that he was born at such time as Lands came to be divided for Phaleg in Hebrew signifieth Division They that follow were the sons of Jucta Elmodad Saleph Azermoth Izrais Edoram Vzal Dael Ebal Ebemael Sapham Ophir Evilas and Jobel who occupied some parcel of that Region which was between Cophen a River C in India and the hither Syria Hitherto have we spoken of the Progeny of Sem now we come to speak of the Hebrews Abraham's Genealogy Phaleg the son of Heber begat Ragaus by whom was begot Seruch from whom Nachor descended and from Nachor Thares who was Abraham's father the tenth in account from Noah and born 292 years after the Deluge For Thares being 70 years old begat Abraham Nachor at 120 years of age begat Thares Nachor was born to Seruch when he was about the years of 132 of his life and Ragaus begat Seruch when he was 130 years old and about those years Phaleg begat Ragaus But Heber at 34 years of age begat Phaleg himself begotten by Sela when he was 135 years old which Sela was begotten by Arphaxad when he was 135 years of age And Arphaxad was the son of Sem and Grandson of Noah whom he begat two years after the Deluge Abraham had two D brothers Nachor and Aram of whom Aram left Lot for his son and Sara and Melcha for his daughters and afterwards dyed in the land of Canaan in a City called Vr of the Chaldees where his Sepulchre is to be seen even at this day His daughters were married Melcha to Nachor The year of the World 2950. before Christ's Nativity 2014. and Sara to Abraham But Thares growing weary of Chaldaea after the death of his son Aram he and his Family transported themselves into Charan a City of Mesopotamia in which place they buried Thares when he had lived the space of 250 years For about this time the life of man was abridged and grew more short until the time of Moses The term of man's life about this term 120. when the space of man's life limited by God himself was 120 years to which term Moses attained Nachor had eight children by Melcha his wife Vx Baux Manuel Zacham Azam Phaleg Jadelphus and Bathuel who were the legitimate sons of Nachor E But Tabaeus and Gadan Thavan and Macham were begotten by him on his Concubine Ruma To Bathuel one of the legitimate sons of Nachor was born a daughter named Rebecca and a son called Laban CHAP. VII How Abraham Gen. 12. 1. ad 4. the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea ABraham having no Issue adopted Lot the son of Aram's brother and brother to Sara his wife The year of the World 2204 before Chri 〈…〉 Nativity 1940. he departed out of the Countrey of Chaldee when he was 75 years old having had commandment from God to depart thence into Canaan in which Countrey F he remained and left the same to his Posterity after him He was a man accomplished in all things full of understanding and apt to persuade those that gave ear unto him without any default in his foresight and providence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. For this cause
married Chetura by whom he had six Children strong in travel and excellent in wisdom namely Zembranes Jazar Mâ—dar Madian Lusobac and Sus The original of Troglodytes who likewise had Sons Sus had Sabacan and Dadanes Of Dadanes issued Latusimus H Asâ—urus Luures The Children of Madin were Epha Ophres Anochus Ebidas Eldas All these Children and their successors according to Abrahams advice gathered and established the Colonies which possessed the Countrey of the Troglodytes and all the Countrey of Arabia the Happy whose confines extend even unto the Red Sea Some report that this Ophres conducted an Army into Libya and possessed the same and that his successors making their abode in that Countrey called it by the name of Africa Libya called Africa Alexander Polyhistor Which opinion is confirmed by Alexander Polyhistor who writeth after this manner Cleodemus the Prophet who is also called Malchus and writ the History of the Jews after the example of Moses their Lawgiver saith that of Chetura there were divers Children born unto Abraham and he nameth three by their names to wit Apher I Surim and Japher and that of Surim the Syrians took their name of the two others Apher and Japher the City of Afra and the Countrey of Africa take their names That they warred under the conduct of Hercules in Libya against Antaeus and how Hercules having taken Ophra his Daughter to his Wife begot of her Dedor who was Father to Sophon from whom those Barbarians that are called Sophaces have taken their name Now Abraham thinking fit to provide a Wife for Isaac his Son who was almost forty years old Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. sent the eldest Servant of his Family to demand in Marriage Rebecca the Daughter of Bathuel who was the Son of Nachor his Brother for Isaac and bound him to the performance thereof with an oath by causing him to lay his hand under his thigh Or 24. 1 2 3 4. He sent also rare presents unto them Isaac marrieth Rebecca such as were seldom seen in those parts The Servant K departing The manner of swearing among the anâ—ient Jews 10. was long upon the way because that in Winter-time it is troublesome to travel thorow Mesopotamia by reason of the deep bogs and in Summer for want of Water besides the robberies of the Countrey which Strangers and Travellers can hardly escape except they stand upon their Guard and have convoy At length he arrived at a City called Carras and being in the Suburbs of the same The year of the World 2809. before Christs Nativity 1875. he beheld divers young Maidens that went to fetch Water at which sight he pray'd to God that if the Marriage were pleasing in his sight he might find Rebecca amongst them for whose cause Abraham had sent him thither to require her in Marriage for his Son and that he might know her by this sign 12. 13 14. that asking all the rest for Water they should refuse him and she only satisfie him With these thoughts he approached the Well and L desired those Virgins to give him to drink which they denied saying that they could not get Water but with great labour 15 16 17 18. which they must bear unto their houses and not lavishly bestow on others whereupon one amongst them reproving the rest for that discourtesie which they used towards the stranger saying that they had never been conversant amongst Men that refused to give him Water that requested it she gave him Drink with great kindness This made him conceive a good hope of all his business yet being further desirous to know the event of the matter he praised the courtesie of Rebecca who had not refused to travel in her own person to satisfie his necessity asking her of what Parents she was terming them happy that had such a Daughter praying God that it might please him to grant them the good hap to M marry her to their contentment and match her with a Man of honest reputation by whom she might be fruitful of good and virtuous Children Rebecca made no difficulty to tell him the names of her Parents 22. 23. the better to gratifie him neither concealed she her own The year of the World 2809. before the Nativity of Christ 1875. but answered in this sort I am called said she Rebecca my Father was named Bathuel and is long since dead Laban is my Brother who together with my Mother hath care of all our Family Which when he understood he rejoyced at all that had hapned unto him and was comforted with those things which he heard perceiving manifestly how God had prospered his journey Whereupon drawing out a jewel with certain other ornaments Rebecca grows acquainted with Abrahams Servant such as Virgins take delight to wear he offered them unto the Maid telling her that he gave her these presents in requital of the kindness N she had offered him in satisfying his thirst for that she amongst so many other Virgins had onely shewed her self affable and gracious desiring also that he might be entertained in her Brothers house by reason that Night deprived him of the means of travelling any further and that he was charged with certain jewels of great price which in no place as he said might be in more safety than in their custody whom in effect he had found so courteous and honest assuring her that the vertue which appeared in her gave him sufficient testimony both of the courtesie of her Mother and Brother who would not as he supposed take it in ill part if he were entertained and lastly that he would in no wayes be chargeable unto them but would pay for his lodging and expences O To this Rebecca answered that he had reason to conceive a good opinion of her Parents humanity but yet he did in some sort prejudice them in suspecting their liberality A assuring him that his entertainment should in no sort be Mercenary but voluntary and free The talk which Abrahams Servant had with Rebecca and according to their affection Yet first said she I will certifie my Brother Laban hereof and afterwards conduct you to our house which done she led him into their Tent commanding her Brother Laban's Servants to take care of his Camels and for himself 30 31 32 33. he was entertained at her Brother Laban's Table When Supper was past 34 35 37. he spake both to the Brother and Mother of the Virgin after this manner Abraham the Son of Thares is your cousin For said he addressing to the Mother Nachor the grandfather of your Children was Abraham's Brother by one and the same Father and Mother He now sendeth me unto you desiring you to give this Virgin for Wife to his only Son and Heir of all his substance The year of the World 2124. before Christs Nativity 1840. whom although he might B have matcht with the richest of
obtained him through the mercy of God After him she bare three other Children Simeon whose name signifieth that God had heard her Levi The explication and names of Jacob's Sons which is as much as to say the firmness of society and last of all Juda which signifieth thanksgiving At that time Rachel fearing lest she should lose part of her Husbands love by reason of the fruitfulness of her Sister caused her Maid Bala to lye with him Gen. 30. by whom he had a Son called Dan that is to say the judgement of God Rachel brings in Jacob to Baâ—a and after him Nepthalim which signifieth ingenious by reason that she used subtilty to requite her Sisters fruitfulness Leah hereupon us'd the same artifice and gave her Maid Zelpha to Jacob Leah bringeth in Zelpha of whom he begat Gad which signifieth come O by chance Gen. 30. 14 15 16. and after him Asar that is to say benificent because that Leah was more honoured for the multitude of her Progeny A Ruben The year of the World 2206. before Christs Nativity 1758. the eldest of all the Sons of Lea brought his Mother apples of Mandrake which when Rachel perceived she desired her to give her part thereof for that she longed to taste of the same whereunto Lea would yield no consent replying That she ought to content her self in that she had the advantage in Jacobs love Rachel to mollifie the heart of her sister told her That she would be content that Jacob should lye with her that night which Jacob accordingly did and Lea once more had children namely Isachar Gen. 30. 8. which signifieth Come by hire and Zabulon which importeth a pledge of good will besides whom 24. she had a daughter also called Dinah Not long after this Rachel lay with Jacob and brought forth a son who was called Joseph which signifieth an addition During all this time which was for the space of twenty years Jacob B had the government of his Father-in-laws flocks Gen. 31. 1 2 3. but afterwards he thought good accompanied with his Wives to return to his own Inheritance Jacob with his Wives children and flocks flee without his Fathers privacy which when his Father-in-law perceived he would in no sort give his consent thereunto for which cause he covertly determined to forsake him To this intent he made trial of his Wives to see how they were affected towards his flight 19. Rachel beareth away with her her Fathers houshold gods who heartned him by their consents insomuch that Rachel having stolen the images of those gods which were honored in that Countrey fled away with her Sister and the two Maids and all their Children with the rest of all their substance Jacob also drove away the moity of the Cattel without the knowledge of Laban 23. Rachel also bare with her the images of the gods although she had been taught by Jacob to contemn them and yield them no honour but C she supposed The year of the World 2200. before Christs Nativity 1758. that if Laban pursued and overtook them by restoring them she might obtain his pardon But Laban a day after the departure of Jacob and his Wives had notice therof and being therewith much troubled he pursued after them intending to assault them by force and on the seventh day he overtook them upon a certain hill where they sat down to take their rest 24. Laban pursueth Jacob but God delivereth him from his purpose in that it was evening but God appearing to him in a dream commanded him to use no violence neither towards his Son-in-law nor his Daughters but rather to listen to a peaceable accord betwixt himself and Jacob assuring him that if in contempt of Jacobs weakness he should lift up his arm to assail him that he himself would join with Jacob to protect him The next day 26. Labans accusation against Jacob. Laban having received this command from God called Jacob unto him D to the end to confer together and to tell him what the night before he had beheld in his dream As soon as Jacob was come to him he began to accuse him alledging that he had received him into his house at such time as he came unto him being poor and naked of all means and had given him great abundance of Goods I have saith he given thee my Daughters in marriage hoping by that means to increase thy love towards me more and more but thou hast had neither respect of thy Mother neither of the acquaintance or parentage betwixt thee and me neither of the Wives which thou hast married nor of thy Children whose Grand-Father I am but hast dealt with me after an injurious and hostile manner driving away that which appertained unto me seducing my Daughters to abandon him that begat them and carrying away my houshold E gods with them which both I and my Predecessours have served and honoured and what none but men of War would have done unto their Enemies that hast thou done unto me yea thou that art my kinsman my Sisters Son the Husband of my Daughters my pledge and my familiar Servant hast dealt thus with me On the other side Jacob alledged for himself 31. Jacobs answer to Labans objection that God had not only made impression in his heart but that all men also are possest with the love of their Countrey and that after so long space of time it seemed good unto him to visit his native soil And concerning that crime saith he which thou objectest against me touching the prey if any other but thy self be judge thou shalt be convicted to have dealt unjustly with me for whereas thou oughtest to have rewarded me for the maintenance and increase I have made of thy F goods hast thou not done us great wrong to envie us a little part and portion thereof And for thy Daughters know this that they have not followed me as persons conveighed away by subtilty but under that love and duty which married Wives bare unto their Husbands 36. Jacobs accusation against Laban they do not therefore only follow me but they come after their Children These things alledged he for himself Further he replied and accused Laban because that being his Mothers Brother and having given him his Daughters to Wife he had notwithstanding bitterly vext him by his severe commandments to which he had been obedient during the space of twenty years that the toyles he had endured in order to his Marriage with Rachel had been grievous unto him notwithstanding that it was but a trifle in respect of that which he suffered afterwards which had he born him an G envious affection or hostile hatred Labans subtil dealing with Jacob. he could very well have escaped In truth Laban had dealt most unjustly with Jacob. For seeing that God assisted him in all that he enterprized Laban promised to give him all
34. 1 2 3 4. he desir'd his Father that he might have her to Wife who listening thereunto went himself unto Jacob praying him to give Dina his Daughter in lawful Marriage to his Son Sichem The year of the World 2206 before Christ's Nativity 1758. Jacob not daring to refuse him by reason of his authority and quality and on the other side not thinking it to be either a thing lawful or convenient to match his Daughter with a stranger desired some time for deliberation Hereupon the King departed hoping that Jacob would listen to the Marriage But Jacob having discover'd unto his Sons the ravishment of their sister and the request of Emmor desir'd them to consider amongst themselves what was fit to be done in the matter C Ver. 21. 25. whereupon some held their peace not knowing what to say but Simeon and Levi the Brothers of the same womb with their sister complotted together this practice Simeon and Levi kill the Sichemites It was now a Festival of the Sichemites who intended nothing but pleasure and banquetting and the two Brethren taking this opportunity by night fell upon their first guards and killed them as they slept and from thence entering into the City they killed all the Males and with them the King and his Son but to the Women they offered no violence Gen. 35. 1 2. Which being executed without the knowledge of their Father Jacob digging up Laban's gods goeth and sacrificeth at Bethel they brought their sister back again Jacob was very much astonished at this accident so strangely executed and was greatly displeas'd with his Children but God appeared unto him and comforted him and commanded him to purifie his Tents and offer those Sacrifices which D he had vowed when first he went into Mesopotamia Ver. 16 17 18. and the Vision appeared unto him As he cleansed those which followed him Rachel dieth in Childbed he found the gods of Lâ—ban which Rachel had stoln Hedio Ruffinus cap. 28. and hid in Sichem in the earth under an oak without his knowledge Afterwards departing from thence he sacrificed in Bethel where he had seen the Vision at such time as he first of all took his journey into Mesopotamia and as he travelled in the Land of Ephrata Rachel died in Childbed and was buried there and she alone enjoyed not the honour of being buried in Hebron with those of her Parentage After he had made great lamentation he nam'd the Child which she bare at that time Benjamin by reason of the Pangs which kill'd his Mother These are all the Children of Jacob twelve Males and one Daughter of whom eight were born by his lawful Wives six of E Lea and two of Rachel and of their Maids four two of each of them whose names I have heretofore mention'd From thence went Jacob to Hebron a City of Canaan where his Father Isaac dwelt but he lost him also shortly after CHAP. XIX Isaac dieth and is buried in Hebron Gen. 35. 29. JAcob had not the comfort to find Rebecca his Mother still living The year of the World 2230 before Christ's Nativity 1734. and Isaac died in a little time after the arrival of his Son and was buried with his Wife by his Son Esau and Jacob in Hebron among their Fathers This Isaac was a man beloved of God and F guided by his special providence after the decease of Abraham and after he had passed his life in all virtue for the space of 185 years Isaac dieth 185 years old Gen. 35. he died O The Second Book of the HISTORY of the JEWS H Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Second Book 1. How Esau and Jacob Isaac's Sons divided their habitations and how Idumaea fell to Esau's lot and Canaan to Jacobs 2. How Joseph the youngest of Jacob's Sons by reason of his Dreams which foretold his future Felicity incurred his Brothers envy 3. How Joseph was sold by his Brethren into Egypt and grew in great authority in that I Countrey and how at length he had his Brothers under his power 4. How Jacob with all his Progeny came unto his Son 5. Of the affliction of the Hebrews in Egypt for the space of 400 years 6. How under the conduct of Moses they forsook Egypt 7. How the Red Sea divided itself and gave the Hebrews a passage at such time as they fled out of Egypt CHAP. I. How Esau and Jacob Isaac's Sons divided their inheritance and how Idumaea fell to Esau's lot and Canaan to Jacobs K AFter Isaac's death The year of the World 2238 before Christ's Nativity 1734. his two Sons divided their inheritance among themselves and neither of them remain'd in that same place which they had chosen before to make their abode but Esau leaving the City of Hebron to his Brother went and dwelt in Seir and was Lord of the Countrey of Idumaea which he named by his name calling it Edom for the occasion which followeth Isaac's Sons departed their habitations He being very young returned one day sore wearied with Travel and hungry from Hunting Gen. 36. 6 7. and finding his Brother dressing for himself a mess of Lentil-pottage which were very red in colour and further encreased his appetite Gen. 25. 53. 27. 36. he desir'd them at his hands that he might eat them But he taking the opportunity and occasion of his Brother Esau's hunger constrained him to forsake him Birth-right Esau the first begotten felleth his birth-right and to sell him the same on condition he L should give him them to eat Esau then press'd with Hunger resigned unto him his Birth-right Esau called Edom. and confirm'd it with a solemn Oath Hereupon his equals in age in way of mockery called him Edom by reason of his red meat for Edom in Hebrew signifieth red His Countrey likewise was hence called Edom. Gen. 36. per tot Esau's Sons and Posterity But the Greeks to the end they might make the name more agreeable called it Idumaea He became the Father of five Children of whom he had three by his Wife Alibama whose names were Jaus Jolam and Chore of the other two Aliphates was the Son of Ada and Raguel of Mosametha these Children had Esau Aliphates had five legitimate Children Theman Omar Opher Jotham Cenez for Amelech was illegitimate born by one of his Concubines whose name was Thesma These dwelt in the part of Idumaea which is called Gobolitis M and in that part which by reason of Amelech is called Amalechitis For Idumaea being in times past a Land of great extent continued the name of Idumaea thorow the whole Countrey and the particular Provinces of the same kept the names of those that first inhabited them CHAP. II. Joseph the youngest of Jacob's Children is envied by his Brothers Gen. 37. BUt Jacob attained to that felicity The year of the World
The matter was no sooner motioned but the effect followed Having conquered the Ethiopians and given thanks to God for the favors he had done him Moses accomplished the Marriage and sent the Egyptians back again into their Countrey Who nevertheless I conceived great hatred against him the Author and cause of their safety and victories The Egyptians seek to betray Moses and began seriously to consult and advise amongst themselves how they might destroy him suspecting lest by reason of the happy success he had had should begin to think of making himself Master of Egypt They accused him therefore of Murther before the King who already of himself had him in suspition as well through the hatred he bare him for his noble carriage and courage Exod. 2. 11. ad 14. whilst he was General as also through the fear he had conceived of the destruction of Egypt foretold by his Priests who incessantly incited him against Moses so that the King was upon the point to lay hands on him and murther him But he having intelligence of these practises escaped and fled secretly flying from K his presence through the Desart by which the Enemies least suspected his flight and although at no place in his journey he found victuals to sustain him yet overcame he his penury by his patience Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. all 8. And arriving near a City of the Madians scituate upon the shore of the Red Sea that was named by one of Abraham and Chetura's sons he sat him down near a Fountain Moses flieth to the City of Madian refreshing himself and taking his ease after his laborious journey for it was about Noon and the City already appeared in his sight In this place an occasion befel by which he both gave proof of his virtue and found an opportunity to better his estate For whereas the Region is much troubled with want of water the Shepherds had a custom to strive which of them should first possess the Pits for fear lest the water would be quite consumed by others before they and their Catttel had quenched L their thirst To this Fountain therefore there came seven Virgins which were daughters of Raguel otherwise called Jethro the Priest whom the Inhabitants of that place held in great estimation who had the charge to attend their Fathers flocks for that is the exercise wherein the Troglodites are wont to employ their Women These hasted to draw sufficient water for their flocks into the troughs A v. 16. ad 19. expresly made to receive the water Moses assisteth Raguels daughters against the shepherds and when in the mean time the shepherds came and surprized them and drove away the Virgins to the end they might be Masters of the water Moses judging it a shame to himself to suffer this outrage drove away the shepherds who would have enjoyed that which appertained not unto them and gave a just assistance to the dismayed Maidens who as soon as they were returned into their Fathers presence told him the outrage M that was done them by the shepherds and the help that they found by the hands of a stranger beseeching him that the courtesie which he had shewn unto them might not be forgotten but that he might receive some token of gratitude The Father commending his daughters thankfulness towards their Benefactor commanded them to bring Moses into his presence to the end he might thank him according as he deserved As soon as he was come Raguel told him That his daughters had given him to understand how kindly he had assisted them and having his virtue in admiration he said that he had not adventured himself Ver. 21. nor done kindness to those that were without sense of the courtesies that were shewed unto them Ragnel marrieth his daughter to Moses Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. but unto those who were capable to give him thanks yea so ready to requite him that the greatness of their requital should far surpass the measure N of his humanity He therefore adopted him for his son and gave him his daughter Zephora to Wife and made him Superintendent and Master of the flocks in which in those days the wealth and riches of most Nations consisted Moses having obtained this good fortune at Jethro's hands for such was Raguels sirname he abode there with him and attended his flocks But not long after he led his Cattel to graze near the Mountain Sinai which is the highest of all those that are in that quarter and good for pasturage by reason of the wholsom Herbs that grow thereabouts which notwithstanding was not fed upon before that time because the shepherds durst not frequent it in regard of an opinion of those that dwelt in that Countrey That God inhabited that Mountain There hapned there unto him a marvellous Prodigy â—xod 3. 1 2. which was that a flame of fire seemed O round about him in a Bush God appeared to Moses in the bush without offending either the green Herbs or the Flowers or the Boughs charged with fruit although the flames were great and vehement He not a A little amazed at this unexpected spectacle The year of the World 2454. befâ—re Christ's Nativity 1510. at last grew more and more so when he heard a voice issuing out of the fire which called him by his name charging him with boldness in that he was not afraid to tread upon that ground which hitherto had been frequented by no Man bidding him to depart afar off from the flame and content himself with that vision God convinceth Moses and the Israelites by miracles to the end they might put trust in his promises for although that he were a virtuous Man yet that he ought not to be curious to make further search into the same The same voice also told him That the honour and glory which he obtained amongst Men was by the assistance of God charging him to be of a good courage and to repair into Egypt for in that place he should be Captain and Guide of the Hebrew Nation and should deliver the People which were there from the outrage and servitude which they suffered For said the voice they shall B inhabit that happy Country wherein your Father Abraham dwelt and they shall enjoy all sorts of blessings under the conduct of thee and thy prudence Moreover it commanded him That having brought the Hebrews out of Egypt he should offer sacrifice of Thanksgiving at such time as he should arrive again in that place And such was the Oracle which he received out of the flame Moses altogether ravished at that which he had both heard and seen spake thus O Lord it were madness in me and no prudence if I should distrust thy power which I reverence and which I know hath been manifested unto my Predecessors notwithstanding I stand in doubt how I who am a Man of no eloquence and of less force should persuade
forwardness for he ran not only more swift than other men Twelve soldiers fight and kill one another and Abners side are overthrown but outstripped horses also in their race Whilst thus he pursued Abner with great vehemence without turning either to the one side or the other Abner seeing himself closely pressed after advised him to forbare his pursuit and promised him a compleat K sute of Armor for a present but seeing him still advance he desired him that he would not constrain him to kill him v. 17 ad 23. and thereby render his brother Joab implacable Azael Joabs Brother pursueth Abner But Azal not regarding him Abner struck him through with a Javelin so that he presently died But they that pursued Abner likewise arriving in the place where Azaels body lay dead Abner in his flight killeth Azael stood round about him and forbare to pursue the Enemy any further But Joab and his Brother Abisai passing by and conceiving a more mortal hatred against Abner v. 25 ad 30. because he had slain their Brother Joab and Abisai pursued 〈◊〉 Sun-set they pursued him til Sun-set unto a place called Amon that is the aqueduct There mounting upon a hillock he saw Abner with the Tribe of Benjamin flying from him who began to cry out to him that men of the same Tribe ought not to be so incensed the one against the other v â—0 ad finem that their Brother Azael was in L the fault Joab sounding a Retreat restraineth his Soldiers because that although he had exhorted him to cease from pursuing him yet could he not persuade him and that therefore he had slain him Joab considering these his sayings How many on each side died in the Battel he commanded the Trumpet to sound a Retreat and forbare to pursue them any more and incamped for that night in the same place during which time Abner travelled without ceasing 2 Sam 3. 1 2. and having past over Jordan returned to his camp to Isboseth Sauls Son The begining of civil war amongst the Hebrews The next day Joab surveyed the dead and caused them to be buried Those that were found dead on Abners side were about three hundred and sixty men and on Davids nineteen besides Azael whose body Joab and Abisai took with them and carried it to Bethlehem á v. 2. ad 5. and after they had interred it in the Tomb of their Ancestors David had six Sons born in Hebron they repaired to Hebron unto David From that time forward there arose a civil War amongst the Hebrews M and endured a long time in which Davids followers had alwayes the upper-hand and never adventured the hazard of the field without some gaining advantage á v. 6. ad 11. whereas the Son of Saul and his partakers were daily weakened Abner bridled and governed the multitude so that a long time they were subject to Ishboseth David at that time had six Sons and as many Wives the eldest of them was called Ammon the Son of Achimaas the second was Daniel the Son of Abigal the third was called Absolon the Son of Maacha the daughter of Tolmar King of Gessure the fourth was Adonias the Son of his Wife called Aggite á v. 12 ad 17. the fifth was Sphacia the Son of Abithal the sixth Jethraam the Son of Egla Abner sendeth Embassadors to David in Hebron to make a covenant with him But after this civil War was begun and that the Kings on both sides had oftentimes encountred and fought together Abner the General of the Army of King Sauls Son a prudent man and one that was beloved by the people endeavored all N that in him lay that the whole Countrey might be commanded by Isboseth and in effect they all submitted unto him for a certain time David requireth his Wife Michol at Abners hands but when it afterwards fell out that Abner was charged to have kept company with Rispa Sauls Concubine the Daughter of Sibath and that Isboseth reproved him for it he was much incensed as thinking himself very ill rewarded for his services whereupon he threatned to establish the Kingdom of David and to make Isboseth know that it was neither his own valour nor conduct that made him Soveraign over the Tribes on that side Jordan but that his fidelity and experience was the cause thereof Whereupon he sent unto Hebron to David requiring him by an oath to accept of him as his confederate and friend promising him to persuade the people to forsake Sauls Son and to proclaime him King of the whole Country David O sware unto him as he had required and very joyfully received his offices and the more to confirm this league betwixt them he sent back Michol Davids wife whom he had purchased A of her Father Saul with the heads of 600 Philistines which Michol The year of the World 2891. before Christ's Nativity 1073. Abner had taken from Phalti who had since that time espoused her whereunto Ishboseth also consented to whom David had written Abner therefore assembled all the Elders and Governors of the people and told them that at such time as heretofore they were ready to forsake Ishboseth and to submit themselves to David he dissuaded them from that intent David requireth his Wife Michol at Abners hands but that he was now willing to comply with them because he was assured that God had chosen David by the mouth of Samuel the Prophet to be King over all Israel and had foretold that he should subdue the Philistines and bring them under his subjection Which when the Elders and Governors understood Abner consulteth with the Elders and Governours of the Army to revolt to David they all of them agreed to submit themselves to David Abner seeing them thus resolved did afterwards assemble all the Tribe B of Benjamin out of which the Archers of Ishboseths guard were chosen and told them the like and perceiving that they complied with him and submitted themselves unto his pleasure he gathered about twenty of his familiar friends and came to David to receive him in his own person à v. 20. ad 23. in confirmation of what David had promised David received and entertained him very kindly The Elders Captain pursuaded by Abner follow David and magnificently feasted him for many days after which Abner desired him that he might return and bring the people with him to the end that in their presence and sight he might deliver him up the government When David had dissmissed Abner The Benjamites accord with Abner he resorteth to David and certifieth him thereof some little time after his departure Joad the General of Davids Army came to Hebron and knowing that Abner had been with David and was lately departed from him and considering the merit of Abner whom he knew to be a great C Captain and the eminent service
house in Jerusalem Now when F the King had taken the City he joyned the Cittadel unto it and having walled them abouâ— How Jerusalem was called Solyma and what mention Homer made thereof the gave the government thereof to Joab This King was the first that drove the Jebusites out of Jerusalem and called the same by his name For from the time of Abraham our forefather it was called Solyma neither want there some that infer that Homer under that name intendeth Jerusalem For in the Hebrew tongue Solyma is as much as to say The years since Joshuas conquest to this time 515. Orphant a Jebusite friend to David Security All the time since the war made by Joshuah against the Canaanites and since the division of the Countrey during all which time the Israelites could not drive the Canaanites out of Jerusalem until David took the same by force were five hundred and fifteen years But I must not forget one Orphan a rich man amongst the Jebusites who because he was well affected towards the Hebrews was not put to death G at the taking of Jerusalem 2 Kings 24. but was much honoured by the King David espoused other Wives besides those which he had Davids Sons born in Jerusalem and took many Concubines by them he had eleven Sons whose names are these which follow Amnael Seba Nathan Soloman Jaber Eliel Phalna Ennapha Jenaah Eliphal and a Daughter called Thamar Nine of these were H begotten of his Wives and the two last were the Sons of Concubines But Thamar was Absalons Sister by the same Father and Mother CHAP. IV. David assailed by the Philistines obtaineth a great victory aaginst them near Jerusalem NOw when the Philistines knew that the Hebrews had created David King they led forth their Army against him towards Jerusalem 2 Sam. 5. 18. ad finem where encamping themselves in I the valley of the Giants which is a place not far from the City they in that place expected the encounter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. But the King of the Hebrews who was wont to do nothing inconsiderately commanded the High Priest to ask counsel of God what success the War should have who after he had informed him that God favored their designes he presently drew out his Army against the Enemy and giving the battel he suddenly assailed the Enemies The Philistines moving War against David are partly slain or put to flight slaying many of them he put the rest to flight But let no man suspect that the Army of the Philistines was either small in number or weak in courage which at that time assailed the Hebrews because they were easily overcome without their performing any memorable action For all Syria Phenicia and the other Warlike Nations beyond them were confederates with them The Philistines invaded the Hebrews with a mighty army gathered out of sundry nations in this War which was the cause that notwithstanding they were so many times overcome and lost many thousands of men that they desisted K not to assail the Hebrews with greater force having been defeated in the battel beforementioned yet they reinforced their Army and encamped in the same place Whereupon David again required of God what the issue of this battel should be and the High Priest told him that he should encamp in the Forrest called Tears because it was not far off from the Enemies Camp and that he should not depart from thence neither make any attempt upon them before the trees should shake without any agitation of the wind Whereupon as soon as the trees shook and the time which God had appointed was come without any delay he marched out with an assurance of returning victorious For the squadrons of the Enemy were disordered The Philistines flight and incontinently betook themselves L to flight being pursued unto the City of Gerar which is a frontire-town of their Countrey their Camp was plundred and in it were found great riches and amongst other things their gods which broken to pieces by the Israelites The battel being ended it seemed good unto David by the counsel of the Elders and Colonels over thousands that all the flower of their youth should be assembled from all the parts of the Countrey 2 Sam. 6. 1 ad 5. every one according to his Tribe Davids commands as touching the transportation of the Ark. And that the Priests and Levites should rapair to Cariathiarim and bring from the Ark of God and convey it to Jerusalem to the end that when it should be there the service of God might for the future be celebrated in that place and other sacrifices and honours agreeable to the divine Majesty be performed Which if Saul had religiously observed M he had not fallen into those misfortunes which at the same time deprived him of his Crown and his life Now when all the people were assembled according as it was appointed the King himself also assisted at the removal of the Ark which being carried by the Priests out of Aminidabs house they laid it upon a new Wain drawn by Oxen and commited the conduct of it to their Brethren and their Children The King marched foremost and after him all his people praising God and singing Psalms and Hymns to the sound of the Trumpets and Cymbals v. 6 7 8 9. and several sorts of Instruments Oza stretching out his hand to stay the Ark is suddenly strucken dead and in this manner conducted they the Ark into Jerusalem But when they were come to the threshing floor of Childon Oza died thorow the wrath of God for the Oxen stumbling that drew the Chariot and the Ark tottering he stretched out his hand to hold it up but being no Priest God struck him dead because he presumed to touch N the Ark. The King and the people were much troubled at the death of Oza and the place where he died is called to this day v. 10 11. Oza's Striking David fearing lest if he should carry the Ark with him into the City David placeth the ark in Obed-Edoms house who prospereth there-through in all felicity the like misfortune might attend him that had befallen Oza who died because he only stretched out his hand he carried it not with him into the City but commanded that it should be left in the possession of one called Obed by descent a Levite a good and vertuous man where it remained for three months space during which time his house was blessed with all worldly happiness The King being informed of the success of Obed v. 12. who of a poor man was suddenly become very rich so that all men had their eyes upon him The Ark transported into Davids house and placed in a Tabernacle and some envied him he assured himself that no inconvenience would befall him if he should take the Ark to Jerusalem It was carried O by the Priests and seven quires of
not presume to come into his presence Absalom revoked by his father is commanded for a time to flie his presence because he was not disposed to see him so suddenly Whereupon he forbore to shew himself unto him and went and dwelt amongst his own Friends and Houshold Servants Neither was his beauty any way decreased by the sorrow he had conceived or for that his entertainment was far different from the quality of a Princes Son but he rather exceeded and grew more famous thereby so that for beauty and comeliness of person he excelled all others his Hair was so thick that it could scarcely be polled in eight days and weighed 200 shekels which amount to five pound He lived two years in Jerusalem and was the Father of G three Sons Ver. 27 28. and one Daughter which Roboam the Son of Salomon afterwards took to Wife Absaloms children born in Jerusalem of whom he begat a Son called Abia. In process of time he sent Messengers unto Joab to desire him that he would pacifie his Father and prevail with him to admit him to his presence The year of the World 2816. before Christ's Nativity 1040. that he might see him and submit himself unto him But receiving H no answer from Joab he sent his servants and commanded them to burn Joabs Corn-fields that joined unto his who hearing what had hapned unto him he came unto Absalom accusing him and asking him For what cause he had done him this injury To whom Absalom answered I have said he invented this stratagem to make thee come unto me seeing thou took'st no notice of the Address which I made V. 30 31 32 33. to desire thee to reconcile my Father unto me And now I beseech thee that thou wilt move my Father in my behalf otherwise I shall think my return more grievous than my banishment hath been Joab urged by the burning of his houses reconcileth Absaâ—om to his father if my Father shall yet continue his displeasure Joab was persuaded through the compassion he conceived of the necessity wherein he saw him and went and sollicited the King with whom he so effectually debated I as touching Absalom that altering his disposition he graciously sent and called for him As soon as he came unto his presence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. Absalom cast himself prostrate on the ground asking pardon for his offences but David raised and lifted him up and promised that from thenceforth he would no more upbraid him with those misdeeds After these things had thus fallen out Absalom within a little space provided a great number of Horses and Chariots 2 Sam. 15. 1 ad 6. and entertained fifty Men for his Guard and every day early in the Morning presented himself before the Kings Palace Absalom subtilly affecteth his fathers Kingdom and talked with those that resorted thither about the tryal of their differences and whereas some of them lost their cause he talked with them according as he found them affected alledging That his Father had no good Counsellers and that perhaps he himself had in some things judged amiss and by these means K endeavored he to get the good will of all men telling them That if he had the like authority he would make them know by proof what his equity was Having by these plausible persuasions drawn the hearts of the common People unto him he was persuaded they would serve him in whatsoever he intended Four years after his reconciliation he came to his Father David desiring that he might go to Hebron and sacrifice unto God according as he had vowed at such time as he fled from his presence Which request when David had granted him he went thither being attended with a great concourse of People Ver. 10 ad 14. by reason he had appointed divers to meet him in that place Absalom proclaimed King amongst whom was Achitophel the Gelonite one of Davids Counsellers and 200 others of Jerusalem who altogether ignorant of his design assembled themselves in that place to be assistant to his Sacrifice by all whom he was declared King L according as he himself had commanded When the News hereof came unto Davids ears and he was assured how his Son had behaved himself he was much troubled for his impiety and arrogancy that he should so soon forget the pardon which he had obtained for his enormous Crimes and contrary to all Law plunge himself and hazard his Reputation in more grievous offences to pervert the state of the Kingdom which God had established to deprive his own Father of his Crown and Dignity wherefore he resolved to flie to the other side of Jordan Ver. 14. carrying with him his most trusty Friends to whom he represented the unbridled fury of Son David departed out of Jerusalem remitting all things unto God who judgeth all things and leaving the Government of his Royal House to the management M of his six Concubines Ver. 24. ad 30. he departed from Jerusalem David flying prohibiteth the High Priests to follow him to the intent to give him intelligence of that which did pass He was accompanied with a great number of People besides those 600 Soldiers who had followed him in his Banishment during Sauls life-time And although the High Priests Abiathar and Sadoc with all the Levites had resolved to depart with him yet persuaded he them to abide with the Ark assuring them that God would deliver them although the Ark should continue in its place He commanded Abiathar likewise to send him private intelligence of each occurrent that should happen reserving with him for most intimate and trusty Counsellers Achimaas the son of Sadoc and Jonathan the son of Abiathar But Ethéi the Gittite by no persuasions of the King could be induced to stay but contrary to his Command Ethei departed with David followed him whereby he more manifestly exprest his affection towards him Ver. 31. But as he went on his bare Feet up the Mountain of Olivet and all they N of his Train followed him Achitophel revolteth from David and followeth Absalom whose counsels David striveth by prayer to make frustrate intermixing their travel with bitter tears a certain Messenger came and certified him that Achitophhel was with Absalom Which report aggravated and increased his grief so that he besought God that it might please him to alienate the affection of Absalom from Achitophel that he might not give heed unto any of his counsels because Achitophel was a Man of a ripe judgment and ready execution in all that concerned him As soon as he came unto the top of the Mountain he beheld the City and as if he had utterly been banished from his Kingdom he began with abundance of tears Ver. 32 c. to call upon God Chusai is persuaded to submit to Absalom and to cross Achitophels counsels There met he with Chusai his sincere and
permit him to be present Ver. 3. and that upon good consideration for they said That if they should be defeated in his company Davids friends dissuade his presence in the battel they should utterly lose all hope but if one squadron C should be overcome the rest might have recourse unto him who might unite and reinforce the rather for that the enemies would alwayes think it likely that he had some other recruits with him This counsel pleased him for which cause he remained within the City But at such time as he sent out his friends unto the battel he besought them that in remembrance of all the benefits and favors he had bestowed on them they would both shew themselves couragious in the fight Ver. 4 5. and that having obtained the victory David commandeth them to spare his son they would spare his son for fear least his death should increase and redouble his discontents Thus praying God to give them victory he dismissed them to the battel But when Joab had placed his Army right over against the enemy and had extended them on the Plain having a Wood upon their backs Absalon also drew out his Army against him so that D encountring one another Ver. 6 7. they performed many notable actions on both parts the one hazarding themselves in all dangers The battel betwixt Joab and Absalon and employing all their affections to the intent that David might recover his Kingdom the others neither refusing to do or endure any thing so that Absalon might not be deprived or exposed to his fathers punishment and displeasure for his insolent attempt Besides that they held it an indignity for them that being so great in number as they were they should be overcome by such a handful of people as followed Joab thinking it an utter disgrace unto them that being so many thousands of them in Arms they should be discomfited by Davids followers But Joab and his men being more skilful and trained in feats of Arms than the rest Ver. 8 9. discomfited and brake Absolons Army The flight and overthrow of Absalons Army so that they fled through Woods and into strong E places Davids Soldiers pursuing after them took some and slew others so that both in flight and fight a great number of them were put to the Sword for there fell that day about 20000 Men. But all Davids Troops freshly set upon Absalon who was easily known by his beauty and stature he fearing to be surprized by his enemies mounted upon a swift Mule and fled in great haste But by the swift motion of his body his locks being scattered abroad his bush of Hair was intangled in a thick and branchy Tree where he hung after a strange manner and his Mule ran onward with great swiftness as if she had as yet born her master on her back but he hanging by the Hair amidst the branches suddenly fell into his enemies hands This when a certain Soldier perceived he brought news thereof unto Joab who promised him to give him 50 sicles if he would kill him F The Soldier answered That if he would give him 2000 he would not commit such a murther on the son of his Sovereign the rather for that in the presence of them all David had requested them to spare him Hereupon Joab commanded him to shew him the place where he had seen Absalon hang who had no sooner discovered him but thrusting a Javelin to his heart he slew him A ver 9 ad 15. That done Joabs Esquires surrounded the Tree took him down Joab killeth Absalon and cast him into a deep Pit they overwhelmed him with stones so that in appearance it seemed to be a Tomb or Monument After this when Joab had sounded a retreat he withdrew his Soldiers from pursuit as thinking it unnatural for one Countrey-man to imbrue his hands in the blood of another Absalon had erected in the Royal Valley Ver. 17 18. two furlongs distant from Jerusalem a Marble Pillar with an Inscription upon it to G the intent that if his Race should be extinct Absalons marble pillar his memory might be preserved by that Monument which he had erected Now he had 3 sons and a daughter called Thamar who was married to Roboam Davids Nephew and had by him a son called Abia who succeeded his father in the Kingdom of whom we shall speak more at large CHAP. X. H The happy state of David being restored unto his Kingdom The year of the World 2920. before Christ's Nativity 1044. AFter that Absalon was slain Ver. 21 ad 32. all the people returned privately to their own houses but Achimaas Chusai sent to certifie David of the victory the son of the High Priest Sadoc drew near unto Joab requiring his leave to repair unto David and to certifie him of the victory and how by Gods help and providence he had vanquished his enemies This did the General deny him telling him That it was not convenient that he who heretofore was wont to bring joyful news should now certifie the King of his sons death He therefore commanded him to stay and calling Chusai to his presence he gave him commission to certifie the King of that I which he had seen Achimaas requested him the second time that he would suffer him to go promising him that he would make no mention but of the victory and that as touching Absalons death he would not utter any thing whereupon he dismissed him also who choosing the shorter way outstripped Chusai Now as David sate in the gate of the City expecting some messenger that might certifie him of the success of the battel one of the Sentinels perceiving Achimaas that came running hastily and not being able to distinguish who it was told David that he saw a messenger coming towards him who answered that it was some one that brought joyful news Anon after he told him that a certain other messenger followed to whom David answered likewise that it was one that brought glad tydings And when the Watchman perceived that it was Achimaas K Sadoc the High Priests son and that he was near at hand he ran first of all and certified David Ver. 33. who was very glad thereof saying That he brought some good and desirable news touching the event of the battel David hearing of Absalons death by Chusai grievously bewaileth him and no sooner had the King spoken the word but Achimaas entred and fell down upon his face before David to whom he reported that his Army had the victory Being afterwards demanded what was become of Absalon He answered That he incontinently departed from the Camp as soon as the enemies were put to flight but that a great number of Soldiers pursued Absalon and further then that he knew nothing because by Joabs commandment he was speedily sent away to bring tydings of the victory When Chusai was come and had humbled
that he in no sort was a Prophet nor had the spirit of Prophesie A By such like allegations he made the King believe that which he said and having wholly withdrawn his thoughts from God and good works and the observation of Gods laws he drew him to all wickedness and impiety by which act of his he displeased God and offended his laws and sought daily after no other thing than to invent some new and cursed wickedness that was far more heinous than all that which before time he had attempted This is all that at this time we have to write concerning Jeroboam Touching Rehoboam Solomons son who was King of the two Tribes as we have before declared he built these great and strong Cities Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. Bethleem Itama Thecos Bethsor Socoth Rehoboams defenced Cities Odolam Epan Maresa Zipha Adoraiâ— Lachis Saraim Elon and Hebron within the Confines of Juda. He built also other great Cities in the Countrey of the Benjamites B which he walled 2 Chron. 11. 5. and placed Garisons and Governors in every one of them and great store of Corn Wine and Oyl and generally in every City he made a great store-house with all sorts of provision 2 Chro. 11. 13. and victuals The godly Israelites return to Rehoboam with a great number of targets and launces To him the Priests and Levites joined themselves who were dispersed thorow Israel who came and dwelt in Jerusalem For they could not endure to be obliged to adore those Calves that Jeroboam had erected Ver. 18 19 20. and during the term of three years Rehoboams Wiâ—es and Children they increased the Kingdom of Rehoboam who being married to one of his own Line had three children and was afterwards married also to Maacha the daughter of Thamar daughter to Absalon who was of his Parentage likewise of whom he begat his son called Abiah He had also divers other children by other women but above all the rest he loved Maacha C most intirely He had eighteen wives married unto him according to the law and thirty concubines he had eight and twenty sons and threescore daughters and declared for his successor in the Kingdom Abiah the son of Maacha and committed all his Treasures and strong Forts unto his hands But Men most usually are corrupted by the flatteries of fortune as appeareth by this King For Rehoboam seeing his Kingdom thus increased bent himself to all unjust and impious actions and contemned the service of God the people also conformed themselves to his impieties For the life of the subject is oftentimes perverted by reason of the corrupt and dissolute life of their Princes and those that are inferiors beholding the riot of their superiors will easily be withdrawn from all modesty and follow those vices they profess as if they had been their professed D virtues Regis ad exemplum totâ—â— componitur orbis for should they do the contrary they would seem to mislike the actions of their Princes And thus it hapned under the Government of Rehoboam where the Subjects addicted themselves to all manner of impiety for they would not make profession of honesty for fear of offending their Prince in appearing to be more virtuous than he CHAP. IV. Susac King of Egypt after the spoil of Jerusalem carrieth away the riches of that City into Egypt E BUT God sent Susac King of Egypt to take vengeance for that wickedness 1 Chron. 12. â— which was committed against his Majesty by Rehoboam Alias cap. 5. whose actions Herodotus wrongfully ascribeth to Sesostris Susac invadeth Judea with great Forces For this Susac in the fifth year of Rehoboam's Reign assembled a huge Army of many thousands and brought them out against Rehoboam wherein it is reported that he had twelve hundred Chariots threescore thousand horsemen and four hundred thousand fooâ—men The greater part of these were Lybians and Ethiopians breaking therefore into the Hebrews Countrey with this power without stroke he seized the strongest places of the Kingdom of Rehoboam Ver. 2. ad 8. and fortified them and at last came and encamped before Jerusalem Jerusalem besieged But Rehoboam and his Associates seeing themselves begirt on every side by Susac's Army Sâ—mâ—â—â—s the Prophet reprehendeth the Jews of their impiety Samâ—â—â—s comforteth the people at last had recourse unto prayer yet could F he not move God to favor him with victory For the Prophet Samoeas threatned and told him That God would abandon both him and his in like manner as they had forsaken him and his service Which when they heard they suddenly lost their courage and seeing no means to escape they all of them began to confess that God had justly forsaken them because they had offended against him and perverted all his Laws But God seeing them thus disposed and making confession of their sins said unto the Prophet That he would not utterly destroy them yet notwithstanding that he would deliver them into the hands of the Egyptians to the end that they might learn whether it were more difficult to serve God or men When therefore King Susac had without bloodshed or resistance taken the City Ver. 9 10 c. and was received into the same by Rehoboam Jerusalem and the Temple are spoiled he kept not those Covenants that were made betwixt G them but spoiled the Temple and took away with him those Treasures that were dedicated unto God and the service of the King taking from thence innumerable thousands of gold and silver not leaving any thing behind him He carried away also those Targets and Bucklers of gold which were made by King Solomon neither left he behind A him the quiver of gold The year of the World 2975. before Christ's Nativity 989. which was offered by David and received by him of the King of Sophena which done he retired back again unto his own Countrey Of this expedition Herodotus of Halicarnassus maketh mention who differeth only in the name of the King and saith that he assailed divers Nations and subdued Palestina and Syria and took many men prisoners without any resistance What Herodotus wrote of this expedition whereby it is manifest that he meaneth no less than that our Nation hath been overcome by the Egyptians For he saith that in their gates who yielded themselves up unto him without making opposition as an eternal Reproach of their Cowardize and Luxury he erected Pillars which were figured with the secret parts of a woman For King Rehoboam was the only Prince that ever yielded up the City without opposition It is said that the Ethiopians have learnt of the B Egyptians the use of circumcision of the Prepuce For the Phoenicians and Syrians that are in Palestine confess that they have learnt it of the Egyptians But it is very manifest that no other are circumcised in Palestina or Syria but our selves But let each one speak of
and success made Amasias proud so that he began to forget God who was the Author thereof and gave honour to those gods which he brought from the Countrey of the Amalechites v. 15 16 Whereupon a Prophet came unto him and said Amasias is reprehended by a Prophet for his Idolatry that he wondred that he should esteem them for gods who had so little availed them who honoured them and had delivered them into his hands so that divers of them were put to death and divers led away Prisoners which they themselves had brought unto Jerusalem according to the custom of War These words moved the King unto displeasure so that he commanded B the Prophet to keep silence threatning him to punish him if he entermedled with his affairs any more Who answered him that he would no farther urge him yet withall he fore-prophecied unto him that God would not suffer this his innovation to rest unpunished Anon after Amasias not able to keep a moderation amidst his affluence and prosperity but waxing more insolent against almighty God by whom he possessed the blessings he enjoyed in the height of his pride wrote to Joas King of Israel commanding him to yield him homage according as in times past the Israelites were subject to David and Solomon threatning him that if he refused to do him service he would enforce him to decide the controversy by Arms to whom the Israelite replied thus King Joas to King Amasias There was in the mountain of Libanus a Cypres Tree of great height to whom a little thistle wrote demanding of him his Daughter in marriage for his Son But C during this treaty there came a certain wild beast that trod down the thistle Let this example admonish and diswade thee from attempting of too mighty matters neither grow proud of thy last victory against the Amalechites lest through thy presumption thou expose both thy Wife and fortune to the uncertain hazard of War When Amasias had perused this answer of his he was more inraged God also as it seemed pricked him forward to the intent to chastise those iniquities that were committed by him Amasias expedition against Joas King of Isrâ—el When therefore he had drawn his Army into the field and both the Armies were upon the point to joyn Battel a sudden fear and discouragement seized him such as God in his displeasure is accustomed to inflict which made Amasias Army turn their backs v. 17 18. so that by the apprehension they had conceived they were scattered before they came to handy strokes and D Amasias being left alone was taken prisoner Joas threatned that except he persuaded the inhabitants of Jerusalem to open their gates and to receive both him and his Army into the City he would put him to death For which cause Amasias constrained by necessity and fear of death wrought so far that his enemies were received into Jerusalem v. 23. who made a breach of three hundred Cubits in their wall thorow which Amasias was led captive into Jerusalem Amsias taken prisoner by the King of Israel In this manner Joas was made master of the City who afterwards carried away the Treasures of the Temple and took away the Gold and Silver that Amasias had in his Palace Jerusalem ruinated and having in this sort ransomed him from captivity The Temple spoiled he returned back again into Samaria This hapned in the fourteenth year of the reign of Amasias who afterwards fled into the City of Lachis to avoid the conspiracy E of his domestick friends v. 24. by whom notwithstanding he was surprised and slain his body was royally intombed in Jerusalem Amâ—sias slain Thus died Amasias for introducing innovations in contempt of God v. 27 28. he lived fifty four years and reigned twenty and nine and his Son Ozias succeeded him in the Kingdom CHAP. XI How Ozias overcame the neighbouring Nations BUt in the fifteenth year of the reign of Amasias 2 King 14. 21. Jeroboam Joas Son began to reign over the Israelites in Samaria 2 Chron. 24 1. 2. 3 and enjoyed the Kingdom for the space of F fourty years This King dishonoured God and offended him grievously by worshiping of Idols and divers absurd and strange actions by which he heaped many miseries on the Israelites heads To him there came a certain Prophet called Ionas who prophecied unto him that he should make War against the Syrians and that he should overcome them and enlarge his Kingdom to the Northward as far as the City of Amatha and to the Southward as far as the Lake Asphaltites for these in times past were the limits of the Countrey of Canaan Hedio Rufâ—â—â—us cap. 11. according as Joshua had set the bounds thereof Jeroboam encouraged by his prophecy led forth his Army against the Syrians The enlargement of the kingdom of 〈◊〉 and spoiled all their Countrey according to the prophecy of Ionas And since I have promised to give an exact History in writing of all those things that hapned in our Nation G methinks it will not be amiss to declare that which I have found written of this Prophet in our Hebrew Chronicles This man being commanded by God to repair unto the Kingdom H of Ninus The year of the World 31â—â— before Christ's Nativity 944. and proclaimed that which should happen to the City of Ninivie namely that the government thereof should be abolished through fear which he conceived repaired not thither but fled from Gods presence into a City called Joppa where finding a Ship he entred the same and sailed towards Tharâ—s in Cilreicia But their arose so vehement a tempest upon the Sea that the vessel was ready to be drowned 2 King 14 25. and both the Mariners Jonâ—s 1. per 〈◊〉 Master and Owners of the ship made their vow of thanksgiving unto God if they might escape from this tempest Jonas sent unto Niniviâ— flieth the presence of God and ascending a Ship is cast in a storm into the Sea but Jonas hid himself and covered his face taking no notice of the rest When therefore the turbulent waves raised by violent winds increased more and more the Mariners and passengers began to imagine amongst themselves that some one of them in the Bark had caused that tempest Whereupon I they agreed amongst themselves to cast lots to know which of them was the occasion of their danger Which done the lot fell upon Jonas who being demanded whence he was and for what business he travelled answered them that he was an Hebrew by Nation and a Prophet of the most High God and counselled them that if they would be secured from that danger they should cast him into the Sea because it was he only that was the cause of that tempest Notwithstanding this confession of his they durst not perform that which he desired supposing that it would be an act of great
composition Whereupon he grievously rebuked Hircanus that being forgetful of divers good offices which he had received by him The year of the World 3924. before Christ's Nativity 40. he had given aid unto his enemies For Malichus's brother being at that time A revolted planted Garisons in divers Fortresses and namely in Masada which was the strongest of them all As soon as Herod had recovered his health he drew forth his forces against him and dipossessed him of divers places that he held and after suffered him to depart with his life and goods CHAP. XXI Antigâ—nus Aristobulus's son gets an Army Herod overcometh him and returneth triumphing to Jerusalem Hircanus promiseth him his Grand-daughter Mariamna daughter of Alexander Aristobulus's son B ANtigonus Ptolomey Mennaeus adopteth Antigonus Aristobulus 's son Aristobulus's son got an Army together and hired Fabius Ptolomey Mennaeus adopted Antigonus for being of his near relations He was also assisted by Marion whom Cassius had made Governor of Tyre and tyrannized over Syria having put Garisons in several places of it and had taken possession of three places in Galilee which bordered with his Countrey Herod expelleth Antigonus out of Jewry Herod also marching forth against him dispossessed him of them all and graciously dismissed those Tyrians that had the keeping thereof bestowing Presents on some of them for the love he bare unto their City And that done he came and encountred with Antigonus and fought him and overcame him before he had scarcely entred on the marches of Judaea and drove him from thence C Being come in triumph to Jerusalem Herod marrieth Mariamne Hircanus's niece by his daughter Hircanus and all the People honoured him with Crowns For Hircanus look'd upon him as one of his Family because he was to marry Mariamna daughter of Alexander son of Aristobulus and of Alexandra Hircanus's daughter on whom he begat three sons and two daughters Before her also had he married a Wife of his own Nation Doris Herod's wife who was called Doris on whom he begat Antipater his eldest son CHAP. XXII After Cassius's defeat near the City of Philippi Antonius cometh into Asia Herod obtaineth D his friendship by great Presents Antonius's Edicts in favor of Hircanus and of the Jewish Nation ANtonius and Caesar having overcome Cassius near unto the City of Philippi Caesar went from thence into France and Antonius into Asia And being in Bithynia The Judge corrupted with monâ—â— Embassadors resorted to him from all parts Thither also repaired certain principal Men among the Jews to accuse Phasaelus and Herod saying that Hircanus had onely the name but he the authority of the Kingdom But Antonius greatly honoured Herod Hircanus's Embassadors present Antonius with a Crown of Gold and require the captive Jews liberty sold by Cassius who came unto him to answer those accusations that they had imposed on him for which cause they that were his adversaries could obtain no Audience for E Herod had bought that priviledge from them with his Money As soon as Antonius was arrived in Ephesus Hircanus the High-Priest and all our Nation presently sent an Embassador unto him with a Crown of Gold requiring him that he would write unto the Provinces that the Jews whom Cassius had taken Prisoners contrary to the law of Arms might be set at liberty and that their Countrey which was taken from them in Cassius's time might be restored Antonius supposing that the demands which the Jews had proposed were reasonable wrote back presently to the High-Priest Hircanus and the Jews and sent an Edict also to the Tyrians ta this effect Marcus Antonius Emperor to Hircanus High-Priest and Prince of the Jews Health F Lysimachus the son of Pausanias and Joseph the son of Mennaeus and Alexander the son of Theodore your Ambassadors came unto me to Ephesus and have renewed the same Embassage which they heretofore brought to Rome 〈…〉 and at this present likewise they have duly and faithfully acquitted themselves of the Embassage which they present in the behalf of you and your Nation by giving us to understand what affection you bear towards us so that I esteem you for our friend since I understand how friendly you have behaved your self towards us both in words and deeds For when our adversaries and enemies of the Roman Nation spoiled all the Countrey of Asia and without regard of their Oaths spared neither Cities nor Temples we have opposed our selves against them not onely for our private G respect but in the quarrel of the Common-weal to punish the authors of such offences committed against Men and of such impieties perpetrated against God for which we suppose H that the Sun hath in a manner obscured himself by beholding with unwilling eyes what an hainous offence was committed against Caesar But we have gotten the upper hand of their impious enterprizes which are fallen upon Macedonia as on the Countrey and Air from whence proceed such detestable designs and we have likewise cut off the course of their desperate resolution which made them encounter us near to Philippi a City of Macedonia where we seized their places fortified by nature and enclosed with mountains as if it were with walls as far as the Sea so that the passage was barred up as it were with a gate had not the gods given us way by resisting their unjust exploits and furthering ours Brutus is likewise compelled to flie to Philippi where being besieged by us he suffered with his Consort Cassius and since they have been punished as they deserved we hope for the I future to enjoy peace and tranquility and that Asia shall be delivered from all the miseries of War and as for your part you may assure your selves that both you and your Countrey shall have your share in this happiness because we have so great a kindness for you to lose any opportunity to procure your advantage and all the body thereof seems to be relieved from a grievous malady by means of our victory We have already sent Letters from City to City to the intent that if any one among you either captive or free-man have been sold to the utmost by Caius Cassius or any of that Army they may be set at liberty And our will is that you reap the fruits of all the favors that we and Dolobella have granted you forbidding the Tyrians to molest you and commanding them to restore all that which they have taken from the Jews in goods or possessions As for the Crown which you sent me I accept K of it Marcus Antonius Emperor Marcus Antonius writeth to the Magistrates of Tyre to restore Hircanus and the Jews their Lands Goods and Liberties to the Governors Senate and People of Tyre Health I have been informed in Ephesus by Hircanus's Embassadors who is High-Priest and Prince â— the Jews that you have seized on their Countrey and spoiled the same when our adversaries held that
of which building Nicholaus also a writer of that time maketh mention but he speaketh not how they went into the Sepulchre of David thinking that therein he should not keep Decorum if he should make mention thereof Wherein he followed this accustomed order for his Writings were to come to the ears of the King yet living wherein he did only curry favour mentioning only that that might redound unto the King's credit So that many of his open and wicked pranks he did either colour under some other pretence or else all ways possible he endeavoured to hide them For he doth as it were tell a tale of Herod's cruelty against Mariamne and his Sons as though he did thereby deserve credit and praise accusing her of Adultery D and them as Traitors unto their Father and this he doth all along too much extolling the King 's good deeds Joseph came of the Priestly Line of the Asmonians and too diligently excusing his iniquities But as I have said we must pardon him who did not so much write to leave a memory of things done unto after Ages as to gratifie and please his King But I who come of the lineage of the Asmonian Kings and execute the office of a Priest account it a shame to lie and do intend to relate the History of all things that were acted and done yet with a reverence for Herod's Posterity who do also now bear sway and rule yet with their pardon and leave I must prefer the truth to their inclinations After the Sepulchre was thus violated A discord in Herod's house Herod's house began to decay whether revenge lighting upon that part which was already scarce sound or whether by mere E chance such calamity at that time befel him as might justly be thought the reward of impiety For there was a discord in the Court not unlike to Civil Wars every one striving against other with hatred and forged accusations Antipater's crafty plotting against his Brethren But especially Antipater's politick practice against his Brethren was to be noted who entangled them by other men's forged accusations himself oftentimes seemed to take upon him their defence that making a shew of good will unto them he might secretly oppress them the sooner and he did so craftily circumvent his Father that his Father esteemed him to be his only Conserver Wherefore the King commanded Ptolomens his chief Secretary of State to conceal nothing of the affairs of the Kingdom from Antipater who imparted all to his Mother so that all things were done according as they pleased and F they made him displeased with those against whom they knew the King's displeasure might redound unto their profit But Mariamne's Children were every day more and more provoked disdaining to give place unto their inferiours The women at discord and variance their Wives did the like and Alexander's Wife Glaphyra who was the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia did greatly envy and disdain Salome and she also her again both for the love that she bare unto her Husband and for that she disdained as women are wont that her Daughter married unto Aristobulus should be in equal honour with her Pheroras also the King's Brother had a hand in this contention Pheroras refused the King's Daughter offered him to Wife about a private cause of suspicion and hatred For he fell so far in love with one of his maids that he refused the Kings Daughter offered unto him rather G making choice of his maid Herod took this in very ill part seeing his Brother who had received so many benefits at his hands and was almost his fellow in his Kingdom by his means not to shew the like brotherly affection to him again as he ought And seeing he could not disswade him from that madness he married his Daughter unto H Phasaelus his Son And afterwards thinking that his Brother's mind towards his maid was satisfied he complained of his injurious dealing in repulsing his Daughter offered unto him to Wife he offered him another of his Daughters named Cypros Then Ptolomeus advised Pheroras not to contemn his Brother's offer and persist in such folly still telling him it was mere madness to incur the King's displeasure on such an account Pheroras understanding this counsel profitable for him having obtained pardon at the King's hands sent away his maid by whom he had a Son and promised the King to marry this his other Daughter and appointed the thirteenth day after to celebrate his Marriage making a solemn Oath unto the King never after that time to use the company of that woman whom he had put away The time appointed being expired I he fell so far in love with the former woman that he would not stand to his promise but again accompanied with his maid Then Herod not able any longer to contain himself used many speeches whereby he evidently shewed his mind to be alienated from his Brother And there were many who taking this opportunity did by forged calumnies encrease his aversion so that now there was no day nor hour past wherein he did not still hear some new combustions and stirs amongst his dearest friends Salome enticed her Daughter to betray her husband's secrets For Salome being so offended at Mariamne's Children did not permit her Daughter married to Aristobulus to enjoy mutual love and comfort of her Husband enticing her to bewray her Husband's secrets and if there happened any small occasions of offence as often it falleth out she should the K more aggravate them with suspicions whereby she also learned all their secrets and made the young Princess hate her Husband And she to please her Mother related how that often when her Husband and Alexander were alone that they were wont to talk of Mariamne their Mother and use reproachful words against their Father and threatning that if they ever did obtain the Kingdom they would make the Sons of the King whom he had by other Wives Notaries and Town-Clerks and so they might reap profit of their Learning which they had attained to and whensoever they saw any of the Kings Wives wear any of Mariamne's apparel that then they vowed instead of that attire to cloath them with Sack-cloth and shut them up where they should never see the Sun Salome presently told all this to the King who though he were L much grieved hereat yet he chose rather to seek to amend it than to punish them and thus notwithstanding he was daily more and more put out of humour believing all reports whatsoever yet he contented himself with chiding of them and seemed satisfied with their excuses But presently the mischief was again set on foot for Pheroras the King's Brother meeting Alexander who as we have said was Glaphyra her Husband who was Daughter to Archelaus he told him that he heard by Salome that Herod was so far in love with Glaphyra that he could not shake off this affection Herod
greatly moved against Pheroras for affirming that he was in love with Glaphyra The young Prince hearing this became jealous and was in a great rage and now what honour soever or gifts Herod for the love of his Son gave her Alexander did interpret it in the worst sence and not able to put up such M injuries he went to his Father and with tears related unto him what Pheroras had told him Herod was never more surprised and not enduring to be falsely accused of so shameful a fact inveying against the great malice of his friends who for his good offices he did them so rewarded him He presently sending for Pheroras very sharply began to chide him saying O most impious that liveth amongst men art thou become so ungrateful either to speak or think such a matter of us Thinkest thou that I do not perceive thy drift that thou spakest not these words unto my Son to discredit me but also to the intent by this means thou mightest work some treason against me and cause me to be poysoned For who but a good Son as this is would suffer his Father suspected for such a matter to live and not to be revenged of him for such offence Whether dost thou think that thou didst put N these speeches into his mind or by them a sword into his hand to kill his Father withal Or what was thy intent seeing thou hatest him and his Brother and only counterfeiting good will towards me to belye me and to report that of me that without impiety could not be thought Get thee hence thou wretched Imp seeing thou hast thus abused thy Brother who hath deserved so well at thy hands Go basest of men I will leave thee to the gnawing worm of thy own perfidious Conscience to be thy Executioner all thy life time And for your greater confusion I will content my self to confound your wickedness with my goodness in not punishing you according to your deserts but treating you with that mercy of which all the world knoweth you to be so unworthy The King having uttered his anger against his Brother Pheroras he being taken in a manifest fault answered that that report was first devised by Salome O of whom he heard it Salome excuseth her self Which she being then present hearing began to exclaim saying it was not her device and that they all laboured to make the King hate her and put her to A death being one who did especially wish him well and what in her lay seeking his safety and that now he was in danger of more Treason than ever before For said she I was the only cause that you did put away the woman whom you so doted after perswading you to marry the King's Daughter and this is the cause that you hate me With these speeches tearing her hair and striking her breast she made a shew of innocency but this gesture was a colour to hide her bad intent So Pheroras was left in great perplexity not knowing what to say or do and could find no pretence to excuse his fact for on the one side he confessed that he told it unto Alexander and on the other he could not make Herod believe that he heard it of Salome This contention endured a good while at last the King being wearied sent away his Brother and his Sister and B greatly commending his Son 's moderate mind and that he had given him intelligence of those speeches it being then late he went to supper After this contention The effect of calumniation Salome was hardly thought of because she was judged to be the Author of this ill report and the King's Wives hated her because they knew her to have strange qualities and so variable that one while she would profess friendship and presently after hatred Wherefore they still had something to inform Herod of against her taking occasion happening by chance which was this There was a King of the Arabians named Obodas a slothful man and one given to idleness And there was one Syllaeus that did govern all this man was a crafty fellow and in the prime of his youth and very beautiful This Syllaeus coming unto Herod about C some business and viewing Salome who then sat at supper with him began to set his mind upon her and finding she was a Widow he entred into talk with her and she finding her Brother now not so friendly unto her as before he had been and also entangled with the beauty of this young man did not greatly deny to marry him and many Feasts being made at that time they shewed evident signs of their mutual consent and love one to another The King's Wives told the King of this in jest Herod commanded Pheroras at supper time to note if he could espy any tokens of familiarity betwixt them and Pheroras told him that by signs and mutual viewing one another Syllaeus the Arabian desiring Salome to wife was denied they sufficiently shewed their intents After this the Arabian being suspected departed into his own Countrey But two or three months after he came again into D Judaea only for this purpose and talked with Herod touching this matter requesting him to let Salome be his Wife affirming that that affinity would be profitable unto him for the traffick between his people and the Arabians whose Prince he was to be and did already enjoy a great part of the Dominion Herod told all this unto his Sister and asked her if she would marry him and she answered she would Then they requested that Syllaeus should become a Jew in Religion or else it was not lawful for him to marry her He would not condescend hereunto affirming that he should be stoned to death by his people if he did it and so he departed without obtaining his purpose From that time forth Pheroras and especially the King's Wives accused Salome of intemperancy affirming that she had had the company of the Arabian Now Herod E determined to marry his Daughter unto Salome's Son whom Pheroras refused for the love of his Maid which Son of Salome's was her eldest that she had by Costabarus to shew his good will towards Salome his Sister But he was disswaded by Pheroras who told him that the young man would never love such a Father in Law because of his Father's death perswading him rather to marry her to his eldest Son who was to succeed him in his Tetrarchy which he easily perswaded the King unto and so obtained pardon for his former offence Herod married his Daughter to Pheroras's Son Wherefore the match being changed the Maid was married unto the young man who had a hundred Talents in dowry with her more than otherwise should have been given with her But all this while this dissention of Herod's house did not cease but rather encreased F it having a shameful beginning and coming to a sorrowful end Herod had three Eunuchs whom he greatly esteemed for their
should be enforced to make his Father his Enemy For which cause he was very liberal to all those that were about his Father Antipater spared no cost to win his Father's friends and through the great gifts he bestowed upon them he extinguished that hatred which all of them bare unto him and above all things he continued himself in credit with those friends which Herod had at Rome by sending them divers Presents and namely Saturninus who was Governour of Syria He hoped also by bribes and rewards to draw his Father's Brother into his faction and to corrupt the King's Sister also who was married to N one of the King 's most esteemed friends in Court He was a subtil and politick man in entertaining those men with colourable shew of friendship with whom he conversed and to draw himself into credit with them he was sufficiently dexterous to dissemble his malice and discontents which he had conceived against any man Notwithstanding all this Antipater could not deceive his Aunt he could not deceive Salome his Aunt who of long time before had sounded his inclinations and who was not so simple as to suffer her self to be deceived but had already by all cunning means that might be prevented his malice although she had a Daughter married unto his Uncle by the Mother's side This Daughter was first of all wedded to Aristobulus and afterwards by Antipater's means to his Uncle For Callaeas her Husband's Son had married the other But neither could this affinity colour the O matter so much but that his malice was discovered neither could that former consanguinity extinguish the deserved hatred conceived against him Herod constrained Salome A who through amorous passion had thought to have married her self to Syllaeus the Arabian to marry with Alexas and that by the mediation and perswasion of Julia Caesar's wife who advised Salome not to refuse that Marriage lest he should prove her mortal enemy for Herod had made an Oath that if Salome condescended not to marry Alexas Herod compelleth Salome to marry Alexas he would never make account of her For which cause she followed Julia's advice who was Caesar's wife and counselled her also to her profit and preferment At the same time Herod sent his Daughter Glaphyra to King Archelaus who had been married to Alexander Glaphyra sometimes Alexander's Wife is sent back to Archelaus King of Cappadocia Hedio and Ruffinus c. 1. presenting him a Dowry out of his own Treasury lest there should any difference arise between them and he himself most carefully brought up his Sons Children For Alexander had two Sons by Glaphyra and Aristobulus begat B on Bernice Salomes Daughter three Sons and two Daughters Sometimes he would recommend them unto his Friends and bewailing the misfortune of his Sons would beseech God that no such ill fortune might befall their children but rather that they might increase in virtue and acknowledge their education and bringing up with all dutiful respects unto their Parents Herod bringeth up his Sons children He provided them also each of them with a wife when they were ready for Marriage Namely the Daughter of Pheroras for the eldest of Alexander's Sons and the Daughter of Antipater for Aristobulus's eldest Son and one of Aristobulus's Daughters was married to Antipater's Son and the other to Herod his own Son whom he had begotten of the Daughter of the High Priest For it is lawful in our Countrey and according to our custom to have divers Wives at one C time The King procured these Marriages through the compassion he had of those Orphans thinking by this mutual Alliance to cause Antipater to be their Friend But Antipater conceived no less hatred toward the children than he had done malice towards their Fathers Antipater hateth his Brothers children For the care that Herod had of them increased his hatred in that he pretended to be the greatest among the Brethren and he especially feared lest when they should grow to mans estate they would resist his power being assisted by King Archelaus as his Sons in Law and Pheroras who was a Tetrarch should do the like for that he had married his Son to Alexander's Daughter And so much the more was he incited because all the people had compassion of these Orphans and had conceived a hatred against him who never ceased to express his malice against his D Brethren Antipater laboureth his Father to break of the Marriages he intended He therefore devised all the means that were possible to disanul the Decrees which his Father had resolved upon to this effect being very loath that they should ever live to be partners with him in the Kingdom So that at last Herod condescended to Antipater's demand which was that he might marry Aristobulus's Daughter and his Son to Pheroras's Daughter and thus were the forementioned Marriages wholly cut off Herod's nine Wives yea even against Herod's former Decree At that time Herod had nine Wives namely Antipater's Mother the High Priests Daughter by whom he had a Son that bare his name and a Daughter of his Brothers and a Cozen of his own by whom he had no children He had another Wife also that by Nation was a Samaritane by whom he had two Sons Antipas and Archelaus and a Daughter called Olympias E who was afterward married to Joseph the Kings Cozen. As for Archelaus and Antipas they were brought up at Rome with a certain private Friend of his Moreover he married one that was called Cleopatra that was born in Jerusalem by whom he had Herod and Philip which Philip was brought up at Rome By Pallas he had Phasaelus by Phedra and Helpia he had two Daughters Roxane and Salome As for his eldest Daughters Alexander's Sisters by the Mothers side whom Pheroras had refused to take in Marriage he match'd the one with Antipater his Sisters Son and the other he wedded to Phasaelus his Brothers Son and this was Herod's Progeny F CHAP. II. Of Zamaris a Babylonish Jew a man of singular virtue AFter this Herod buildeth a Castle in the Region of the Trachonites and maketh Zamaris the Jew that came from Babylon Governour therein intending to assure his Estate in the Countrey of Trachonite he resolved to build a Borough of the bigness of a City in the midst of the Countrey as well to secure his Countrey as to be in better readiness to repulse his Enemies with more expedition And having intelligence that a certain Jew was come from Babylon with five hundred Archers on Horseback and about one hundred of his Kinsmen G and had adventured to pass Euphrates and was in the Countrey adjoyning to Antioch near unto Daphne in Syria where Saturnine General of the Roman Army had given him a Castle called Valatha to inhabit he sent for him and his followers promising to give him both Lands and Lordships in the Segniory of Batanea which H bordereth on
sent for Archelaus also and esteeming it too base an indignity for him to write unto him Go said he unto him with all expedition and bring him unto me without delay He posting forward with all diligence at length arrived in Judaea where he found Archelaus banqueting with his friends and having acquainted him with Caesar's Commands Archelaus banished and confined he hastened him away As soon as he came to Rome after that Caesar had heard his Accusers and his justification he banished him and confined him in the City of Vienna in France and confiscated all his Goods But before Archelaus was sent for to Rome he reported unto his friends this Dream which ensueth He thought that he saw ten Ears full of Wheat and very ripe which E the Oxen were eating and as soon as he awaked he conceived an opinion that his Vision presaged some great matter For which cause he sent for certain Sooth-sayers who made it their profession to interpret Dreams Now whilst they were debating one with another for they differed for the most part in their exposition a certain man called Simon Simon the Essean interpreteth Archelaus's Vision an Essean having first of all obtained security and licence to speak said that the Vision prognosticated that a great alteration should befal in Archelaus's Estate to his prejudice For the Oxen signified Afflictions in respect that those kind of creatures do ordinarily labour and as for the change of Estate it was signified by this in that the earth being laboured by the Oxen altered its condition and shape and as touching the ten Ears of Corn they signified the like number of years F And therefore when as one Summer should be overpast that then the time of Archelaus's Sovereignty should be at an end Thus interpreted he this Dream And the fifth day after the Vision thereof Archelaus's Agent by Caesar's Command came into Jewry to summon him to Rome Some such like matter happened to Glaphyra his Wife also the Daughter of King Archelaus She as we have said married Alexander Herod's Son when she was a Maid and Brother to this Archelaus who being put to death by his Father she was married the second time to Juba King of Mauritania and he also being dead she living with her Father in Cappadocia was married to Archelaus who put away Mariamne his Wife for the love he bare unto Glaphyra She living with Archelaus Glaphyra's Dream had such a Dream She thought she saw Alexander by her she cherishing and G embracing him he checked her saying Glaphyra Thou verifiest that Proverb which saith Women have no Loyalty For having given me thy faith and married with me at such time as thou wert a Virgin and born Children by me thou hast forgotten and neglected my love thorough the desire thou hast had to be married the second time H Neither wast thou contented to have done me this wrong but hast taken unto thee likewise a third Husband lewdly intruding thy self into my Family and being married to Archelaus thou art content to admit my Brother for thy Husband Notwithstanding this I will not forget the love that I have born thee but will deliver thee from him who hath done thee this reproach by retaining thee for mine own as heretofore thou hast been After that she had told this Vision to some women that were her Familiars she died very shortly after Which accident I have thought good to register in this place in that I was to treat of those things and otherwise the matter seemeth to be a notable example containing a most certain argument of the Immortality of Souls and God's Providence And if any one think these things incredible let I him keep his opinion to himself and no ways contradict those who by such events are incited to the study of Virtue Cyrenius Censor of Syria Now when the Government of Archelaus was united to Syria Cyrenius who had been Consul was sent by Caesar to tax Syria and to dispose of Archelaus's house A THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighteenth Book 1. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon C all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War 2. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews 3. Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso D 4. The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them 5. Tyberius causeth all the Jews to be banished from Rome Pilat punisheth the Samaritans for having drawn themselves together in Arms They accuse him to Vitellius Governour of Syria who sends him to Rome to clear himself 6. Vitellius restoreth the High Priest's Vestments to the Jews to keep as they did formerly E He treateth in Tyberius's behalf with Artobanus King of the Parthians The cause of his hatred against Herod the Tetrarch Philip Tetrarch of Trachonitis of Gaulanitis and of Bathanaea dieth without Children his Dominions are reunited to Syria 7. A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity 8. By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's F Son and Herod the Great 's Grand-child and Mariamne's was made King of the Jews by the Emperour Caius Caligula as soon as he had succeeded Tyberius 9. Herodias Herod the Tetrarch's Wife and King Agrippa's Sister being impatient to see her Brother reign in so much Prosperity compels her Husband to go to Rome to obtain a Crown also but Agrippa having written to Caius against him he banisheth him and his Wife to Lions in France 10. The Sedition of the Jews and Grecians in the City of Alexandria 11. Caius commands Petronius Governour of Syria to compel the Jews by force of Arms G to receive his Statue in the Temple but Petronius mollified by their Prayers writeth to Caius in the Jews behalf 12. Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brother and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give
in his Tetrarchy should be kept within the bounds of the same Countrey CHAP. VII K A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity MEan while Aretas King of Arabia Petraea and Herod fell at strife the one with the other Herod the Tetrarch putteth away Aretas Daughter and marrieth Herodias his Brother Herod's Wife for this cause that ensueth Herod the Tetrarch married Aretas's Daughter with whom he had lived married a very long time Afterwards taking his journey towards Rome he lodged with Herod his half Brother by the L Father's side for Herod was the Son of Simon 's Daughter which Simon was the High Priest and there being surprised with the love of Herodias his Brother's Wife which was the Daughter of Aristobulus their Brother and Sister to the Great Agrippa he was so bold as to propose Marriage to her which was to be performed as soon as he returned back from Rome and to repudiate Aretas's Daughter After he had ratified those Covenants he continued his Voyage to Rome from whence he no sooner returned and performed that for which he went but his Wife who had some privy notice of the Conventions which were made betwixt him and Herodias before he suspected that she knew thereof required him to send her to the Castle of Macheron Herod's Wife returned into her own Countrey which was the Frontier Town M betwixt Herod's and Aretas's Countreys without acquainting him any ways with her intent Herod condescended unto her request thinking she was ignorant of his drift But she long before that time had taken order with the Governour of Macheron which at that time was under her Father's Government to prepare all things for her journey where being arrived she speedily posted into Arabia under the Convoy of those Governours who received and conducted her the one after the other As soon as she arrived in her Father's Court she presently acquainted him with Herod's resolution whence arose the beginning of this discord between them Therefore they both of them assembled their Armies upon the Confines of the Countrey of Gamalite and fought under the Conduct of the two Generals to whom they had committed N their Armies Herod's Army discomfited by the Arabians In this Battel Herod's Army was wholly defeated through the Treason that was plotted against him by certain banished men of Philip's Tetrarchy which were in pay with Herod Tiberius got notice of all this by those Letters which Herod had written unto him Tiberius commandeth Vitellius to make War against Aretas and being very much displeased with Aretas for his proud attempt he commanded Vitellius to make War against him desiring him that if he could take him alive he should send him bound unto him but if dead he should send him his head Divers Jews were of the opinion that Herod's Army was overthrown by the just vengeance of God who punished him most justly because of the Execution which he caused to be done on John sirnamed Baptist Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. alias cap. 14. For he had put this man to death who O was endued with all Virtue and who exhorted the Jews to addict themselves thereto and to practice Justice towards men and Piety towards God exhorting them to be A baptized and telling them that Baptism should at that time be agreeable unto God if they should renounce not only their sins but if to the purity of their bodies they should add the cleanness of their Souls re-purified by Justice And whereas it came to pass that divers flocked and followed him to hear his Doctrine Herod feared lest his Subjects allured by his Doctrine and Perswasions should be drawn to revolt For it seemed that they would subscribe in all things to his advice he therefore thought it better to prevent a mischief by putting him to death than to expect some suddain Commotion John Baptist slain by Herod which he might afterwards repent Upon this suspicion Herod caused him to be bound and sent to the Castle of Macheron whereof we have spoken heretofore and there he was put to death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. The Jews were of opinion that in revenge of B this so grievous a sin Herod's Army against whom God was displeased had been subject to their utter ruine and overthrow Vitellius leadeth his Army against the King of Arabia But Vitellius being resolved to make War against Aretas gathered together two Legions and all those Horse or Foot that he could assemble amongst those Kings who were the Romans Allies and marching towards Petra he stayed at Ptolemais because he pretended to pass by Judaea Which when the principal Nobles amongst the Jews had notice of The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. they went out to meet him beseeching him that he would not pass thorough that Countrey because it was a custom amongst them not to see any Images born such as he had of divers colours in his Army Vitellius repaireth to Jerusalem and displaceth Jonathan and preferreth his Brother Whereunto he condescended and having changed his purpose he caused his Army to march thorough the great Plain As for himself he came to Jerusalem C accompanied with Herod the Tetrarch and his Friends to offer Sacrifice to God upon the next Festival day where he was most magnificently received by all the people of the Jews He stayed for the space of three days during which time deposed Jonathan from the High Priesthood and gave it to Theophilus his Brother The fourth day Letters came to him Caius Caligula succeedeth after Tiberius that advertised him of Tiberius's death for which cause he commanded the Oath of Fidelity should be ministred to the people in the new Emperour Caius's behalf He called back his Army also and sent them to their Winter Quarters because it was not lawful for him to prosecute the War by reason the Empire was fallen unto Caius It is said Aretas gathereth by Auguries that it was impossible for the Army to come to Petra that Aretas hearing news of Vitellius's Expedition or Voyage and after he D had taken counsel of the Augurs said that the Army should not advance as far as Petra because he that had the command of the Expedition or he that obeyed his Ordinance in conducting the same or he against whom the Army was conducted should die Vitellius therefore retired to Antioch A year before the death of Tiberius Agrippa Aristobulus's Son came to Rome to treat with the Emperour about certain Affairs But before I speak any thing hereof I will relate Herod's Progeny both for that it is pertinent to this present Narration and also that the greatness of God's Providence may
appear to the end that a man may know that neither the number of Children nor any other humane force whatsoever it be can be available without the fear of God considering that within the space of one hundred years or somewhat E less it fell out that all Herod's Line which was very populous and fruitful was extinguished a very few excepted Whereby we are given to understand what the misery of Mankind is and learn to moderate our selves It is also expedient to speak something of Agrippa who amongst all other deserveth admiration that being a man wholly in Obscurity and base in Birth he was exalted to such greatness as no one of those that knew him would ever have thought his Fortune should have such success and power And although heretofore I have spoken somewhat of this matter yet it is requisite that I speak something more expresly thereof in this place Herod the Great had two Daughters born by by Mariamne Hircanus's Daughter The one of them which was called Salampso was married by Herod to Phasaelus the Son of Phasaelus F Herod's Brother The other called Cypros was married to Antipater her Cousin who was Salome's Son who was Herod's Sister Phasaelus had five Children by Salampso three Sons Antipater Herod and Alexander and two Daughters Alexandria and Cypros whom Agrippa the Son of Aristobulus married and Alexandria was married to Timaeus of Cyprus who was a man of great dignity and with whom she died without Issue Cypros had by Agrippa her Husband two Sons and three Daughters Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla their two Sons were called Agrippa and Drusus Drusus died very young but Agrippa was Brought up by his Grandfather amongst his other Brethren Herod Aristobulus and Bernice These were Herod's Children Son unto him who was surnamed the Great Bernice was Costobarus's Daughter begotten G on Salome Herod's Sister Aristobulus died leaving his Children under age under his Father's charge with Alexander his Brother as we have already related These attaining their full age were thus married Herod Brother to Agrippa was matched with Mariamne Olympias's Daughter who was Herod the Great his Daughter and of Joseph H Herod's Brother by her he had his Son Aristobulus Aristobulus Agrippa's third Brother married Jotape the Daughter of Sampsigeram King of the Emesenians They had a Daughter which likewise was called Jotape which was deaf These were the Children begotten by Herod's three Sons But Herodias their Sister married Herod the Son of Herod the Great whom he begot on Mariamne the Daughter of Simon the High Priest by whom Salome was begotten After her birth Herodias in contempt of the Laws of the Countrey married her self with Herod her Husband's Brother begotten of the same Father being separated from him during his life time who was Tetrarch of Galilee His Daughter Salome was married to Philip the Tetrarch of Trachonitis Herod's Son Who dying without Children Aristobulus married her who was I Herod's Son and Agrippa's Brother They had three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus See here the Posterity of Phasaelus and Salampson Antipater by Cypros had a Daughter that likewise was called Cypros which was married to Alexas Selcius the Son of Alexas of whom he begat a Daughter called likewise Cypros As for Herod and Alexander who as I said were Antipater's Brothers they died without Issue Alexander Herod's Son who was killed by his Father begat Alexander and Tigranes on the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia Tigranes being King of Armenia died without Issue after he had been accused at Rome Alexander had a Son called Tigranes after his Brother's name who was sent by Nero to reign in Armenia who had a Son called Alexander who married Jotape the Daughter of Antiochus King of Comagena K This Alexander by Vespasian was elected King in Lesis a City of Cilicia As soon as Alexander's Posterity began to multiply they fell from their Countrey-Religion to â—â—llow the customs of the Greeks All the rest of King Herod's Daughters died withâ—â—â— issue Having after this manner reckoned up Herod's Posterity which continued â—â—â—il such time that Agrippa the Great began to reign It remaineth at this time to declare what adventures befel this Agrippa and how he escaping his dangers obtained at last so great Power ad Dignity 〈…〉 â—tained great Dignity and Power CHAP. VIII L By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's Son and Herod the Great 's Grand-child and Mariamne's was made King of the Jews by the Emperour Caius Caligula as soon as he had succeded Tyberius SOme little time before the death of King Herod Agrippa living at Rome through his lavish Liberality groweth into Necessity Agrippa was gone to Rome where he came very well acquainted with Drusus Tyberius the Emperour's Son and was beloved of Antonia the Wife of Drusus the Elder by the means of his Mother Bernice whom Antonia held in great esteem and to whom she had recommended M her Son And whereas by nature he was of a liberal and generous spirit as long as his Mother lived he would not discover his inclination lest he should provoke her displeasure against him But immediately after Bernice was dead and he became his own Master partly by his daily and bountiful entertainment and living partly by his immoderate Liberalities but especially by his lavish Prodigality towards Caesar's Free men whose favour he hunted after he was brought into extream Poverty and could no more live at Rome the rather for that Tiberius having lost his Son forbad his friends to come into his sight lest their presence should refresh and encrease the sorrow he conceived for the loss of his Son For these causes he returned back into Judaea having but badly ordered his Affairs Agrippa bethinketh himself how he might shorten his miserable life spent his money and left himself no means to satisfie N his importunate and many Creditors For which cause uncertain how to dispose of himself and ashamed of his present estate he withdrew himself into a Castle called Malatha in Idumaea to pass away obscurely and miserably the rest of his time Which purpose of his Cypros Agrippa's Wife certifieth Herodias his Sister of his Poverty and requireth her assistance when Cypros his Wife perceived she endeavoured by all means to prevent his resolution She wrote to Herodias his Sister who was married to Herod the Tetrarch acquainted her both what Agrippa had decreed as also by what necessity he was enforced thereunto and she exhorted her that in regard of affinity she would assist him and imitate her in this who as much as in her lay relieved his misery although her Fortunes were far weaker than hers Being therefore sent for by his Sister and Wife Agrippa dwelleth at Tiberias he was commanded to dwell in Tiberias and had a certain Summ of Money O assigned him for his maintenance and for his greater honour was appointed Magistrate of
away F Now when they came to Rome the younger Agrippa who was his Son that lately died knowing the cause of their coming and being ordinarily accustomed to attend upon Caesar according as we have heretofore declared besought Caesar that he would grant the Jews their request concerning the Sacred Robe and that it might please him to signifie no less unto Fadus On this his Petition Claudius gave the Ambassadours Audience and told them that he favoured their suit desiring them to be thankful to Agrippa upon whose suit he respected them and granted their Demands And besides this Answer he delivered them a Letter to this effect Claudius Caesar Germanicus Conserver of the people Consul created the fifth time G Emperour the fourth time Father of the Countrey the tenth time to the Magistrates of Jerusalem the Senate People and all the Nation of the Jews Being required by our well beloved Agrippa whom I both have and at this present do bring up with me I have heard your Ambassadors who were admitted to my Presence by his H means and have received their thanks for the benefits I have bestowed on your Nation I have also willingly inclined to that instant and express request you have made unto me and it is my pleasure that the Sacred Robe of the High Priest and the Holy Miter remain in your custody Claudius upon the younger Agrippa's motion granteth the Jews liberty to have the custody of the High Priest's Vestments in such manner as our most dear and right honoured Friend Vitellius heretofore ordained To which demand of yours I vouchsafe my allowance first in regard of mine own Piety and that I desire that every one should serve God according to his own Religion Moreover in so doing I shall gratifie King Herod and young Aristobulus whose affection towards me I am privy to and whose good inclination towards you I can witness for whom I have a particular kindness by reason of their singular Virtue I have also written to this effect to Cuspius Fadus mine Agent the names of those who have received my I Letters are Cornelius the Son of Ceron Tryphon the Son of Theudeon Dorotheus the Son of Nathanael alias chap. 3. and John the Son of John Given the eight and twentieth of June in the year wherein Rufus and Pompeius Silvanus were Consuls Claudius's Epistle to the Jews At the same time Herod who was Agrippa 's Brother that had lately deceased to whose hands in times past the Government of Chalcis had been committed Alias cap. 9. required the Emperour Claudius to grant him the power over the Temple Herod Prince of Chalcis hath Authority granted him to create the High Priest and the Sacred Vestments and the Authority of chusing the High Priest all which he obtained And from that time forward until the end of the War of the Jews this power remained in all his Successors According to this Authority Herod deposed Canthara from the Priesthood and gave the Succession thereof to Joseph the Son of Caneus K CHAP. II. Izates King of Adiabena and Queen Helena his Mother embrace the Religion of the Jews Their singular Piety and the great Actions of this Prince whom God protects visibly Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth a man and his followers who deceived the Jews L AT that time Helena Queen of Adiabena Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. and her Son Izates conformed themselves to the Religion of the Jews Alias 5. upon this occasion that ensueth Monobazus King of Adiabena Monobazus the King of Adiabena begetteth two Sons on Helena his Sister Monobazus and Izates who was also called Bazeos having fallen deeply in love with his Sister Helena married her and got her with Child Upon a time it happened that sleeping with her he laid his hand on her belly whilst she lay asleep and he thought that he heard a voice that commanded him to take away his hand from off her belly lest he should crush the Fruit that was therein which by God's Providence should have a happy beginning and no less fortunate ending Monobazus was much troubled at this voice and as soon as he awoke he told it to his Wife and afterwards when the Child was born he called him Izates Besides he had another elder Son M by the same Wife who was called Monobazus according to his own name And he had also other Sons by his other Wives yet notwithstanding Izates was most manifestly his best beloved and so cherished by him as if he had been his only begotten Son for which cause his other Brothers envied him The Father manifestly perceived all this yet he pardoned them knowing that they did it not for malice but for the desire that every one of them had to be best esteemed by his Father Notwithstanding being afraid lest some mis-hap should betide Izates by reason of the hatred his Brethren bare unto him Izates sent to Abemerigus marrieth his Daughter Samacha he gave him many great Gifts and sent him to Abemerigus who reigned at that time in a Fort called Spasinus committing his Son's life into his hands Abemerigus also entertained him very kindly and loved him so N that in process of time he gave him Samacha his Daughter to Wife and for her Dowry he gave him a Countrey of great Revenue Monobazus being old Caron very fruitful in 〈◊〉 in which the Relikes of Noahs Ark are to be seen and seeing he had not long time to live desired before his death that his Son might come and visit him he therefore sent for him and received him very lovingly giving him a Countrey which he called Caeron which bringeth forth great abundance of Odoriferous Plants In this place was the remainder of the Ark in which Noah was saved during the Deluge which remnants are to be seen at this day if any man have a desire to behold the same Izates remained in that place until his Father's decease But on the very day of his death Helena sent for all the Lords and Governours of the Kingdom and Captains of all the Army and upon their O assembly she spake unto them after this manner I suppose said she that you are not ignorant of my Husband's mind who hath desired that A Izates might be King in his stead and hath esteemed him most worthy of such an honour yet I expect your judgment in this point For he that receiveth the Sovereignty not from one mans hand but from many and hath the same confirmed unto him by their consent is happy She used this discourse unto them to try what their intent was who were there assembled Izates was made King by his Mother Helena and the Nobility and Monobazus governeth the Kingdom till his coming They understanding her mind prostrated themselves first of all upon the earth before the Queen according to the custom of their Country and afterwards answered her that they approved the Kings election
due justice on those whom he found guilty of that sedition Claudius favourably gave ear to this request and hearing the whole matter he found that the Samaritans were the first Authors of all those mischiefs and caused them to be put to death who came before him to plead and banished Cumanus he gave order also that Captain Celer should be sent back to Jerusalem and that there in sight of all the people he should be dragged about the City until he died He sent Claudius E Foelix Pallas Brother to govern Judaea In the twelfth year of his Reign Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. aliàs 13. he gave Agrippa Philip's Tetrarchy with Batanea and besides that added thereunto Trachonitis and Abila which in time past appertained to Lysanias Tetrarchy Claudius Felix Governour of Judea taking from this the Province of Chalcis which he had governed for the space of four years After that Agrippa had obtained this gift at Caesar's hands he married his sister Drusilla to Azizus King of the Emessenians who consented to be circumcised Drusilla because Epiphanes King Antiochus Son would not give ear unto the marriage for that he refused to entertain the Religion of the Jews although in times past he had promised his Father no less Mariamne He gave Mariamne to Archelaus Chelcias Son who by her Fathers consent was formerly promised him on whom he begat a F Daughter called Bernice A little after this the Marriage of Azizus and Drusilla was broken off on this occasion following Felix getteth Drusilla from her husband When Felix governed Jewry he saw Drusilla and fell in love with her she surpassing all other women in Beauty He therefore sent a certain Magician called Simon who was born in Cyprus and one of his greatest friends among the Jews who perswaded her to forsake her first Husband and to marry Felix giving her to understand that she should be happy if she refused not this match She unadvised and resolved to rid her self from the hatred which her Sister Bernice bare towards her who hated her in regard of her beauty and for this cause ceased not to injure her condescended to forsake the Religion of the Jews and to marry Felix by whom she had a Son called Agrippa whose death hereafter I will G declare and how in the Emperour Titus's his time he died and was burned in the fire of the Mountain Vesuvius with his Wife Bernice remained a Widow very long after Herod's death who was both her Uncle and her Husband and the report was that she had the company of her Brother At length she wrought so much that H Polemon King of Cilicia caused himself to be circumcised to the end he might marry her purposing by that means to make it known how falsly she had been accused Whereunto Polemon gave ear because she was rich But this Marriage continued not any long time Polemon King of Cilicia marrieth Bernice For Bernice through her impudency as it is reported abandoned Polemon who giving over that Marriage forsook also the Religion of the Jews At the same time Mariamne having forsaken Archelaus her Husband married Demetrius one of the chiefest Jews that were in Alexandria Mariamne scorning Archelaus marrieth Demetrius both in regard of his descent as also his riches who at that time also exercised the office of Alubarcha that is to say the Governour of Arabia She caused the Son she had by him to be called Agrippinus But of all this I will speak more exactly hereafter I The Emperor Claudius died after he had reigned thirteen years Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. aliàs 15. eight moneths and twenty days Some say that he was poysoned by Agrippina his wife the daughter of Germanicus Claudius's Brother She was first married to Domitius Aenobarbus one of the greatest men of Rome after whose death and long Widowhood she was at length married to Claudius Agrippina Messalina and Paetina Claudius 's Wives into whose house she brought her Son called Domitius by his own Fathers name Claudius had put Messalina his wife to death for the jealousie he had of her although he had had children by her namely Britannicus and Octavia And for his daughter Antonia who was eldest of all his children and begotten on Paetina one of his former Wives she was married to Nero whom Claudius so named and adopted for his Son Agrippina fearing lest Britanicus growing to mans K estate should succeed his Father in the Empire and desirous to make her own Son Emperour as is reported she left nothing unattempted that might bring her Husband to his death an presently sent Burrus who was General of the Army with some other Captains Nero Emperor and those of the greatest power among his free-men to bring Nero into the field and to proclaim him Emperour He being thus established in the Empire caused Britannicus to be secretly poysoned and not long after this he openly caused his Mother to be put to death yielding her this recompence not only for that she had born him in her womb but also because by her means he had obtained the Empire The year of the World 4019. after Christ's Nativity 57. He likewise murthered Octavia his wife the Emperor Claudius's daughter and divers other Noble men under colour of some Conspiracy intended against L him But I will not prosecute this matter for that there are divers who have writ Nero's History Nero a tyrant of whom some have no regard of the truth but have spoken at their pleasure Nero's tyranny for that he had been their Benefactor others transported with hatred and despite against him having not been ashamed to punish such impudent lies against his renown that they deserve to be condemned Neither do I wonder that they have invented so many lyes against Nero considering that in those Histories which they wrote of the former Emperours they have not studied to speak truth although they had not any occasion to hate them considering that they lived a long time after their death For my own part I am resolved never to deviate from the truth contenting my self to touch only by the way those things that concern my M purpose neither will I treat in particular but of what relateth to my Country without dissembling our own faults any more than the afflictions that they brought upon us I will therefore return to the discovery of our affairs Azizus King of Emesene being dead the first year of the Emperour Nero's reign his Brother obtained the Kingdom Aristobulus the son of Herod King of Chalcis had the Government of the lesser Armenia from Nero who gave Agrippa a certain portion of Galilee commanding those of Tiberias and Tarichaea to live under him Besides this he gave him Julias situate beyond Jordan with fourteen Burroughs near adjoyning thereunto N CHAP. VI. Foelix Governour of Judaea causeth Eleazar the High Priest to be murthered and his
it would cost much time and expence he denied their request permitting them nevertheless to pave their City with broad Stone Matthias the Son of Theophilus High Priest He took the Priesthood from Jesus the Son of Gamaliel and gave it to Matthias the Son of Theophilus in whose time the Wars betwixt the Romans and the Jews began But I think it not amiss Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. but very answerable to the course of this present History N to speak of the High Priests The Succession and number of the High Priests among the Jews and to shew how they had their beginning and to whom this honour may be lawfully communicated and how many they were in number until the end of the War The first of them was Aaron Moses's Brother after whose death his Children succeeded him and from that time forward the honour hath continued with their Successors For it is a Law observed by our Ancestors that no man should be admitted to the Priesthood There were eighty three High Priests in all except he be of Aaron's Posterity for albeit he were a King if so be that he were of another Line it was impossible for him to obtain the Priesthood All the Priests after Aaron who as we have said was the first until Phanasus whom the Seditious created Priest in the time of the War have been in number eighty three whereof thirteen have executed the Office from the time that O Moses erected God's Tabernacle in the Desart until such time as arriving in Judaea King Solomon builded a Temple to God For in the beginning the High Priesthood continued A with the Possessors for term of life but afterwards although the Priests were yet alive yet were there other Successors put in their rooms These thirteen were of Aaron's Posterity and obtained this degree in succession the one after the other Their first Government was Aristocracy which is the Government of the Nobility afterwards a Monarchy and at last a Royal Government The number of years wherein these thirteen flourished were six hundred and twelve years from the day that our Fathers departed out of Egypt under the conduct of Moses until the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon After these thirteen High Priests there were eighteen others who after Solomon's time succeeded one after another until the time that Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon B having encamped before the City took it and burned the Temple and transported our Nation into Babylon and led away the High Priest Josedech Prisoner The time of the Priesthood and continuance of these eighteen was four hundred sixty years six months and ten days so long as the Jews have had the Royal Government After the surprizal of Jerusalem by the Babylonians until such time as Cyrus King of Persia dismissed the Jews and gave them leave to return from Babylon into their own Countrey with permission to re-edifie their Temple there are seventy two years and at that time the Captives being returned Jesus the Son of Josedech took upon him the High Priesthood who with those of his Posterity to the number of fifteen have governed in a Democracy or Popular Government until the time of Antiochus surnamed C Eupator for the space of four hundred and fourteen years This Antiochus was the first who with his General Lysias displaced Onias surnamed Menelaus of his Priesthood commanding him to be killed at Berith and after he had driven his Son out of the Succession he established Jacim High Priest who notwithstanding was of Aaron's Race but not of his Family For this cause Onias the Son of Onias and Nephew to the deceased Onias retired himself into Egypt Where growing familiar with Ptolomey Philometor and Cleopatra his Wife he perswaded them to build a Temple in the Confines of Heliopolis not unlike to that of Jerusalem and to create a High Priest in the same of which Temple in Egypt we have made very oftentimes mention After that Jacim had held the Priestood for the space of three years he died without D Successor so the City remained seven years without a High Priest Again the Asmoneans recovered the Government of their Nation and after they had made War against the Macedonians they established Jonathan High Priest who exercised the Office seven years but afterwards he was killed in an Ambush and Treason conspired against him by Tryphon as we have declared elsewhere After him Simon his Brother undertook the Priesthood who was not long after killed treacherously by his Son-in-Law at a Banquet After him succeeded his Son Hircanus who enjoying this Dignity for the space of thirty one years died when he was very old leaving behind him Judas surnamed Aristobulus who dying left his Brother Alexander his Heir both of the Kingdom and High Priesthood After that Aristobulus had obtained the E Royal Government he enjoyed both Dignities one whole year For this Judas surnamed Aristobulus was the first that set the Diadem on his head causing himself to be called a King the which Alexander did continue for he also joyned the Kingdom with the High Priesthood and reigned twenty seven years And feeling himself draw near to his death he left in Alexandras his Wife's hands to dispose of the Priesthood as she pleased She therefore bestowed it on Hircanus and as for the Kingdom she kept it in her own hands nine years and afterwards died Her Son Hircanus was High Priest for so long time For after Alexandra's death his Brother Aristobulus made War against him and having overcome him he took the Kingdom from him and not only seized on the Crown but the Priesthood After he had reigned three F years and as many months Pompey repaired to Jerusalem and took it perforce and laying hold of Aristobulus sent him bound unto Rome with his Children After which he restored the Priesthood once more to Hircanus committing the Government of the Nation unto his hands forbidding him in the mean space to wear the Diadem Besides the first nine years Hircanus governed twenty and four But Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians passed Euphrates and made war against Hircanus and took him alive Prisoner and made Antigonus Aristobulus's Son King But after he had governed three years and three months Sosius and Herod took him alive perforce and Antonius sent him to Antioch where he was beheaded After that Herod was created King by the Romans there was never any High Priest created of G the Posterity of the Asmoneans for he gave the High Priesthood to certain men of obscure and base extraction who were of the Order of Priests Aristobulus only excepted This Aristobulus was Hircanus's Nephew who was a Prisoner among the Parthians and having given him the Priesthood he married Mariamne his Sister to the intent H to continue himself in the good liking of the people in remembrance of Hircanus But afterwards fearing lest all of them should turn to Aristobulus's
thousand Talents which Pompey had forborn to touch But passing over Euphrates he was both himself and his whole Army M utterly overthrown of which matter it behoveth us not to speak in this place After the death of Crassus the Parthians endeavoured to enter Syria but Cassius who succeeded him in the Government repulsed them and having gotten the upper hand he speedily passed into Judaea and taking Tarichea carried away about three thousand men Captive and put Pitholaus to death for gathering a company of seditious people to Aristobulus his part Antipater's Wife a Noble woman of Arabia He that counselled his death was Antipater who was married to a Noble Woman of Arbia called Cypris by whom he had four Sons Phasaelus Herod afterwards King Joseph and Pheroras and one daughter called Salome His wise Conduct and Liberality got him the Friendship of many Princes and especially that of the King of Arabia to whose fidelity he committed his Sons when he undertook N the War against Aristobulus But Cassius made a Truce with Alexander and in the mean time went to Euphrates to hinder the passage of the Parthians as we shall shew in another place A CHAP. VII The year of the World 3917. before Christ's Nativity 45. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates AFter that Caesar had forced the Senate and Pompey to flee beyond the Ionian Sea Ant lib. 14. cap. 14. and by that means made himself sole master of Rome Caesar delivereth Aristobulus from his bonds he set Aristobulus at liberty and with two Legions of men sent him in hast into Syria hoping through his means speedily to reduce both it and also all places adjoyning to Judaea But both the hope of Caesar Aristobulus and his Son slain by Pompey's friends and the forwardness of Aristobulus were frustrated by ill B Fortune for Aristobulus was poysoned by Pompey's favourers and even in his own Countrey his body lay unburied which notwithstanding was preserved from putrefaction with honey till such time as Antonius sent it to the Jews commanding them to bury it in the Sepulchre of the Kings His Son Alexander also was beheaded at Antioch by Scipio being first according to the tenour of Pompey's Letters accused before the Tribunal-seat Ant. l. 14. c. 5. of such things as he had committed against the Romans Ptolemy Prince of Chalcis which is upon Mount Libanus Ptolomaeus Son marrieth Antigonus younger Daughter and for that cause is slain by his Father sent his Son Philippio to Ascalon to the widow of Aristobulus to counsel her to send her Son Antigonus and her daughters to him Philippio falling in love with the youngest named Alexandra took her to wife But sometime after he was put to death by his Father who himself married C this Alexandra and for that affinity sake was more careful of her Brethren After the death of Pompey Antipater sought all means to get into Caesar's favour and when Mithridates of Pergamena was hindred by the Garrison at Pelusium to pass further with an Army into Egypt Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. and was by that means stayed at Ascalon Antipater not only perswaded the Arabians to assist him but he himself seconded him with almost three thousand armed Jews Moreover he incited the Potentates of Syria and Ptolemy who inhabited Libanus Mithridates goeth to Pelusium and thereby obtaineth Antigonus's help and Jamblicus and his Son Ptolemy to assist him for whose sakes the Cities of that Country did willingly undertake the War And now Mithridates strengthned by Antipater's means came to Pelusium and because they would not suffer him to pass he besieged the City In which siege Antipater shewed D his valour for making a breach on that side of the wall where his Quarter was he first of all with his company brake into the City and so Pelusium was taken After which the Inhabitants of the Province bearing the name of Onias resolved not to suffer him to pass any further But Antipater handled the matter so discreetly with them Mithridates victory against the Egyptians that they did not only suffer him to pass but also supplied victuals for his Army Whereupon the City of Memphis would not fight but yielded of their own accord to Mithridates so that passing thorough Delta he fought with the other Egyptians in a place called The Camp of the Jews and being with all his company in danger he was rescued by Antipater who marching along the River side set upon and discomfited the left wing of the Enemies battel and rushing upon them that E pressed upon Mithridates Antipater performeth many noble exploits and exposeth himself to all dangers for Caesar's sake he slew many and pursued the rest that fled till he got their Camp and all this with the loss of fourscore men But Mithridates lost eight hundred men and being thus against all hope preserved from being cut in pieces he was without all envy a true witness before Caesar of all that Antipater had done and deserved Whereupon Caesar rewarded his courage with praise and promises and so made him forward to hazard himself for him In a word he proved and shewed himself a stout Warriour Caesar maketh Antipater a free Citizen of Rome and the many wounds he had in every part of his body were badges and testimonies of his valour and vertue Afterward when the estate of Egypt was quiet Caesar returned into Syria where he made him a Citizen of Rome and granted him the immunities thereof adding so many other F proofs of his esteem and affection that he render'd him worthy of envy and for his sake confirmed Hircanus in the High-Priesthood CHAP. VIII How Antipater was accused before Caesar Of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made war Antigonus Aristobulus's Son cometh to Caesar to accuse Pompey's friends for his fathers death AT the same time Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus repairing to Caesar was against G his will a cause of Antipater's greater felicity for coming to complain of his Fathers death who was as it was thought poyson'd by Pompey's partisans with as great hatred as sorrow he accused Hircanus and Antipater of having been the cause that he and his brethren had been so unjustly driven out of their native soil and H that their Country had suffer'd so great calamities only to satisfie their Passion alledging that they had sent aid into Egypt to Caesar's forces not for good will but for fear and that hereby they might blot out the memory of the good will they had born to Pompey Antigonus falsly accuseth Hircanus and Antipater At these words Antipater drawing aside his vesture shewed the number of his wounds saying it was not needful to use words to prove what affection he had born to Caesar for his very body shew'd it although he himself held his peace Antipater casting of his garment sheweth his
do the like for himself for he built a Castle on a Mountain near Arabia having on one O side a strong place of defence Herodium and this Castle he called Herodium after his own name By the same name also he called a Mount sixty stades from Jerusalem artificially made A in manner of a woman's Dug which he adorned on the top with round Turrets and round about it he built Princely houses gallantly adorned both within and without He also brought water from a great distance with great cost and charges and made a pair of stairs of pure White Marble to go up which had two hundred steps For the whole Hill was made by Art and was of an exceeding height At the foot thereof likewise he built another Palace and houses to receive his Friends and their Carriages Herodium a Castle resembling a City so that this Castle for the abundance of all necessary Lodgings seemed a City and yet was all the King's Palace Having erected thus many Buildings he shewed his great mind in strange Cities likewise for at Tripolis and Damascus and Ptolemais Herod's bounty to all men he built publick Colledges for instructing Youth He built the Wall of Byblis B and Seats Porches Temples and Markets at Berytus and Tyre At Sidon and Damascus he built a Theatre and a Water-conduit at Laodicea a Sea-town At Ascalon he built Fountains or Lakes very sumptuous and Baths with Pillars that for greatness and good work were miraculous To other places he gave Forrests and Ports and to many Cities added Fields as though they had been Fellow-cities of his Kingdom And to others as to Coos he gave Annual Revenues for ever to the end they might never lose the remembrance of the obligation they had to him Moreover he gave all poor people Corn and he often and in sundry places lent the Rhodians money to build a Navy of Ships Herod famous through the World At his own proper cost he repaired the Temple of Apollo Pythius which had been burnt What shall I say of his liberality towards them C of Lycia and Samos or his magnificent Gifts towards all the people of Jonia Nay and the Athenians The year of the World 3954. before Christ's Nativity 8. Lacedemonians Nicopolites and the Citizens of Pergamus and Mysia received very many benefits at his hands He paved also a large Street in Antioch of Syria which was in length twenty stades and that with fair Marble This Street before that time was so full of dirt that no man could go thorough it And all along it he built Galleries that people might go dry thorough it in rainy weather Some may say that these benefits thus bestowed were for the proper use of those people on whom he bestowed them but no man can deny but that which he did for the Citizens of Elis was not only common to those of Achaia but to all the World where the Games called Olympica Certamina were solemnized For Herod seeing D them decay only for want of maintenance and that this was the only remainder of all the ancient Monuments of Greece he not only in his person at that time became one of the proposers of rewards in that Olympiade in which he went to Rome but also gave a yearly stipend to maintain the same lest for want they should be left off It is not to be told what Debts and Tributes he remitted for he delivered the Phasaelites and Balaneotes and other Towns of Cilicia from the payment of a yearly Tribute yet was he not so liberal to them as he would have been fearing lest the envy of some might accuse him of some further meaning if he should be more bountiful to the Cities than those that were the owners thereof Herod a great hunter He exercised his body likewise in exercises fit for so valiant a mind for he was a very skilful hunter wherein he had always his E purpose by reason of his skill in riding so that in one day he killed forty Wild Beasts That Countrey hath many Boars but it hath more store of Harts and Wild Asses He was such a Warrier that no man was able to encounter with him so that many were astonished to see him with what force and exactness he cast the Dart and drew the Bow Herod besides the vertue of mind and body had the blessings of Fortune Besides the Vertue both of his mind and body he had also good Fortune for very seldom the event of War was otherwise than he expected if it sometimes fell out contrary it was not through his fault but through the rashness of his Soldiers or else through Treason F CHAP. XVII Of the disagreement between Herod and his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus BUt his private and domestical sorrows troubled his publick felicity Ant. lib. 1â— cap. 3 8. lib. 16. cap. 13. and most adverse fortune befel him through the means of a woman whom he loved as himself For being now made King he put away his Wife which he first married a Lady born in Jerusalem Herod expelleth Antipater out of the City and killeth Hircanus his Wife's Uncle whose name was Doris and married Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander the Son of Aristobulus which caused troubles in his house both before but especially after his return from Rome For he banished his eldest Son Antipater G whom he had by Doris out of the City only for his Children's sake that he had by Mariamne licencing him only at Festival times to come to the City in regard of some suspicion of Treason intended against him And afterwards he slew Hircanus his wifes Uncle notwithstanding that he returned out of Parthia unto him because he H suspected that he intended some treason against him Barzapharnes after he had taken all Syria had carried him away prisoner with him But his own Countreymen that dwelt beyond Euphrates in commiseration redeemed him from thraldom and had he been counselled by them and not come to Herod he had not been killed but the marriage of his Niece caused his death for for that cause and especially for the love of his native soil he came thither That which moved Herod to kill him was not for that he sought the Kingdom but because he had right to the Kingdom Herod's children by Mariamne Herod had five Children by Mariamne two Daughters and three Sons The youngest was sent to Rome to study where he died The other two he brought up like Princes both for their Mothers Nobility and for that they were born after he I was King But that which above all was most prevalent in their favour was the love he bare to Mariamne which from day to day tormented him more violently in such sort that he seem'd insensible of those griefs which this his best beloved caused to him For Mariamne hated him as much as he loved her and having a just cause and colour of
himself M openly their enemy he caus'd his confidents to accuse them and at first made shew of defending them but afterwards he clos'd in with the accusers and cunningly perswaded Herod to credit the accusation which were that Alexander was so desirous of his death as to frame plots against his life and nothing made so much credit be given to these calumniations as that Antipater colourably excused his brother Herod incensed hereat every day withdrew his affection more and more from the two brethren and daily encreased his love towards Antipater The Nobility also were inclined after the same manner some of their own inclination and others out of compliance so did Ptolemaeus the chiefest of all the Nobility and the Kings Brethren and all his kindred for all mens expectation was upon Antipater And that which N grieved Alexander the more was that all these conspiracies design'd for his overthrow were made by the counsel of Antipater's Mother for she being Step-mother to him and his Brother was the more cruel against them because she could not endure their having the advantage above her Son of being born of so great a Queen And although many followed Antipater for the hope they had of him yet were they also compelled thereunto by the King's command who gave special charge to his dearest friends not to follow Alexander or his Brother And this Prince was a terrour not only to those of his own Kingdom but also to foreign Nations because Caesar had given him so great authority for he gave him license to take any one that was a fugitive from him out of any City although it were not under his Dominions Now the young men being O ignorant of the offences laid to their charge were in the greater danger for their Father did not openly tell them of any matter but they every day perceived A his good will towards them to decay which so much the more increased their grief In like manner Antipater by little and little animated Pheroras their Uncle and Salome their Aunt against them to whom he spoke with the same liberty as if she had been his Wife Moreover Glaphyra Glaphyra Alexander's wife encreased his conceived suspicion by her words Alexander's Wife contributed to the encreasing of these enmities by bearing her self above all women that were in the whole Kingdom for she derived her Pedigree by the Father's side from Tiâ—enus by the Mother's side from Darius Son of Histaspes and by inveying very much against the baseness of Herod's Wives who she said were chosen for their Beauty and not for their Nobility of Birth For Herod as we have said had many Wives as it was lawful for him by the B custom of the Countrey Aristobulus objecteth to his Wife her base Birth and all of them hated Alexander for Glaphyra's Pride and contumelious speeches Aristobulus also made Salome his enemy although she were his Wife's Mother because he often upbraided his Wife with her base Birth still teling her that he had married a private woman and his Brother Alexander a King's Daughter Ant. lib. 16. cap. 7. Which his Wife often with tears told to her Mother adding moreover that Alexander and Aristobulus threatned that if they got the Kingdom they would make their Father 's other Wives weave with their Maids and his other Sons Notaries of Villages because they applyed themselves to Learning Salome moved hereat could not contain her self but told all to Herod who easily believed her because she spake against her Son-in-law Alexander and Aristobulus oftentimes bewail their Mother and by that means provoke their Father Moreover another accusation was laid to their C charge whereat the King was greatly moved for he was informed that Alexander and Aristobulus did often bewail their Mother and lament her hard fate and cursed him and that often when he bestowed some of Mariamne's Cloaths upon his latter Wives they threatned that in a short time they would make them change them for Mourning Whereupon though Herod feared the fierce spirits of the young men yet because he would not take away all hope of amendment he called them to him as he was to go to Rome and as a King threatned them in few words and like a Father gave them many admonitions and requested them to love their Brethren promising them forgiveness of their former offences The two Brothers excuse themselves before their Father Herod so that hereafter they mended all But they beseeching him not to believe Accusations forged against them upon malice and answering D that the effect of matters would easily acquit them requested him not so easily to believe tales but to refuse malignant people opportunity and recourse unto him for that there would always be some that would malitiously invent tales to tell whilst there was any one that would give them the hearing and believing For they knew that Salome was their enemy and Pheroras their Uncle and both of them much to be feared especially Pheroras who was fellow with his Brother of all saving the Crown and had his own Revenues amounting to an hundred Talents a year and received all the Profits of the whole Countrey beyond Jordan which were given him by his Brother Herod also had obtained of Caesar to make him Tetrarch and had bestowed upon him for his Wife his own Wife's Sister after whose decease he offered E him his eldest Daughter and three hundred Talents with her for a Dowry But Pheroras falling in love with a mean person refused so honourable a Match whereat Herod being angry married his Daughter to his Brother's Son who was afterwards slain by the Parthians Yet after some time he pardoned Pheroras's offence Divers formerly were of opinion that in the life time of the Queen he would have poysoned Herod and Herod although he loved his Brother very well yet because many who had access unto him told him so he began to misdoubt And therefore examining by Torture many that were suspected at last he came to some of Pheroras's Friends but none of them confessed the Poyson but only that he was determined to flee to the Parthians with her whom he was so in love with and that Costabarus Salome's Husband F was privy thereunto unto whom the King had married her after her first Husband for suspicion of Adultery was put to death Salome her self was not free from Accusation for Pheroras accused her that she had purposed Matrimony with Syllaeus who was Procutator to Obodas King of Arabia a great enemy of the King 's And she being convicted both of this and all things else whereof her Brother Pheroras accused her yet obtained pardon as likewise Pheroras did so that the whole Tempest of all the Family was turned against Alexander and fell upon his head The King had three Eunuchs whom he loved extremely Alexander corrupteth his Father's Eunuchs and telleth them he is to succeed in the Kingdom and every one known
he wept and joyned the Children's hands and courteously saluting every one dismissed the Council A At this action Antipater was so amazed that all the Orphans well perceived it For now he thought himself dishonoured by his Father and that he stood in great danger seing that Alexander's Son was like to have both Archelaus and Pheroras the Tetrach to protect him Moreover he considered how he was hated and how the people compassionated the children that were fatherless and look'd upon him as the murtherer of their fathers Wherefore he resolved by all means possible to break these Marriages Yet he feared to insinuate any thing to his father cunningly who was now very suspicious and mistrustful and therefore went openly unto him to make his humble sute and request to him that he would not leave him without honour nor deprive him of that Succession which before he had judged him worthy B of by giving him only the bare Title of King and leaving the authority of the Kingdom in other mens power For it would be impossible for him to obtain the Kingdom if Alexander's Son were besides Archelaus his favour made Son-in-law to Pheroras Herod's children by his seven wives Wherefore he earnestly pray'd him that seing he had many daughters he would change these Mariages for the King had nine Wives and by seven of them he had children Antipater by Doris Herod by Mariamne daughter of Simon the High Priest Archelaus by Malthace the Samaritan and a Daughter call'd Olympias whom his brother Joseph married and by Cleopatra of Jerusalem Herod and Philip and by Pallas Phaselus he had two other Daughters also Roxane and Salome one of them by Phaedra and the other by Elpis He had likewise two wives by whom C he had no issue his Cousin and Niece and beside these he had two Daughters by Mariamne Sisters to Alexander and Aristobulus Wherefore Antipater seeing his Father had such choice of Daughters requested the marriages to be altered The King Herod is perswaded by Antipater's flatteries to break off the marriages well perceiving his mind and purpose towards the Orphans and calling to remembrance the misfortune of his Sons whom he had put to death he judg'd that if ever he found occasion he would be as industrious to destroy the children by calumnies as he had done their fathers and so falling into great anger with sharp words he drove him out of his presence yet afterward he so flattered Herod that he got the marriages to be altered And first of all he joyned Aristobulus's Daughter with Antipater himself and his Son to Pheroras's Daughter Here one may see what D Antipater could do by flattering speeches for Salome in the like matter could not speed although she was his Sister and procured many times the Emperours Wife to speak for her that she might marry with Syllaeus the Arabian yet was she not permitted so to do But Herod swore that he would account her as an utter enemy except she would desist from that purpose and afterward against her will he married her to Alexas a friend of his and one of her Daughters to Alexander's son and the other to Antipater's maternal Uncle As for Mariamnes Daughters Ant. l. â—7 c. 3. one of them was married to Antipater his Sisters Son the other to Phasaelus Antipater buildeth upon the Kingdom his Brother's Son When Antipater had quite overthrown the hope of the Orphans and joyned affinity as he thought good he now held himself on E sure ground and adding confidence to his malice he became intolerable to all men And seing he could not avoid their hatred he now sought by fear to work his own safety and so much the more because Pheroras now assisted him as one that was confirmed and established for King A debate betwixt the Ladies in the Court. Also the women in the Court fell at variance and raised a new broil for Pheroras's Wife with her Mother and her Sister and the mother of Antipater did behave themselves very insolently in many things towards two of the Kings daughters of which Antipater who hated them was very glad none of the other women except Salome daring to oppose this Cabal But Salome went to the King and told him that their meetings were not for his service F The women understanding how she had informed the King and that he was offended thereat they met no more together openly but abstained from their wonted familiarity and in the Kings hearing feigned to fall out one with another Antipater also made the same shew so that he stuck not openly to affront Pheroras notwithstanding they had meetings and banquets in the night and the unity was the more confirmed the more they perceived themselves to be noted for Salome knew all this and told it to the King The King was very angry and especially against Pheroras's wife whom chiefly Salome blamed and having called together all his kindred and friends Ant. lib. 17. cap. 4. he accused her before them amongst other things that she had behaved her self contumeliously towards his daughters and that she assisted the Pharisees G against him and that by a poysonous drink she had made his Brother hate him And turning himself unto Pheroras he asked him whether he had rather renounce the friendship of him his King and Brother or abandon his Wife And he answering that he had rather die than lose his Wife Herod doubtful what to do turned him to H Antipater and commanded him to have no commerce with Pheroras or his wife or any one belonging to them after that time He obeyed this command openly in shew but secretly went to their house and fearing that Salome might perceive it he by his friends in Italy procured himself to be sent for to Rome Herod forbids Antipater of his Brothers company or to have conference with his wife by Letters brought to Herod wherein it was commanded that shortly after the receit thereof Antipater should be sent to Caesar Wherefore Herod using no delay sent him presently furnishing him with all things necessary and a great sum of money giving him likewise his last Will and Testament to carry with him to Caesar wherein was written that Antipater should be King and after him Herod the Son of Mariamne Daughter of the High Priest But Syllaeus the Arabian neglecting Caesar's commandment at I the same time sailed to Rome there to contend with Antipater about matters which were before in controversie between him and Nicholaus He had also a great contention with Aretas his King whose friends he had slain and amongst others Sohemus the most wealthy man in all the Country of Petra and Fabatus Caesar's Procurator whom he had corrupted assisted him against Herod But Herod afterwards giving Fabatus a greater sum of money alienated him from Syllaeus and by this means dispatched that which Caesar commanded and because Fabatus restored nothing he accused him that he was
having their Swords I drawn had killed the formost before Caesar understood any thing of their coming had not Agrippa hastened to advertise him of the matter He told him that if he did not presently appease the Soldiers fury now raging against the Citizens all the Nobility would presently be destroyed and he should be left Emperour of a desolate place When Claudius heard this Claudius honourably entertains the Senate he repressed the Soldier 's fury and very honourably received the Senate into his Camp and went forth presently with them and offered Sacrifice to God as the manner is for the good Estate of the Empire and to give him thanks for that Sovereignty which he held of him Agrippa's Kingdom Also he presently made Agrippa King of all his Father's Dominions giving him likewise all that Augustus had given Herod The year of the World 4008. after Christ's Nativity 46. to wit Trachonitis and Auranitis and besides them another Countrey called K the Kingdom of Lysania and published this his Gift by Edict to the people and commanded the Senate to engrave that Donation in Brazen Tables and to place it in the Capitol Moreover he gave the Kingdom of Chalcis to his Brother Herod who was become also his Son-in-law by the marriage of Bernice his Daughter Agrippa now received greater Revenues of his Kingdom than he could desire which he spent not vainly but in building such a Wall about Jerusalem as had he finished it the Romans could never have taken it Ant. lib. 19. cap. 5. But before he could end that work he died in Caesarea having reigned three years with the Title of King Agrippa after he had reigned three years in Caesarea dies and other three years before with that of Tetrarch He left behind him three Daughters which he had by Cypris Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla and one Son by the same Wife named Agrippa who L because he was very young Claudius reduced the Kingdom into a Province and made Cuspius Fadus Governour thereof After whom succeeded Tiberius Alexander who nothing violating the Laws of the Nation Herod after he had reigned in Chalcis dieth ruled them in Peace After this Herod King of Chalcis died leaving behind him two Sons which he had by his Brother's Daughter Bernice to wit Bernicianus and Hircanus and by his first Wife Mariamne Ant. lib. 19. cap. 7 8. Aristobulus His other Brother also Aristobulus died a private person leaving one Daughter Jotapa And these were the Posterity of Aristobulus Son of King Herod by Mariamne Alexander and Aristobulus 's Genealogy whom he put to death But his elder Brother Alexander's Posterity reigned in the greater Armenia M CHAP. XI Of divers Tumults in Judaea and Samaria AFter the death of Herod who reigned in Chalcis Claudius created Agrippa the Son of the former Agrippa The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. King of Chalcis his Unkle's Kingdom And Cumanus was made Ruler of the other Province after Tiberius Alexander under whom many new tumults and calamities befel the Jews For when they were assembled together at the Feast of Unleavened bread in Jerusalem the Roman Soldiers standing in the Porch of N the Temple for always armed men kept that place upon Festival days A filthy fact and speech of a Soldier against the Jews on a Festival day lest the people gathered together should make any tumult one of the Soldiers taking up his coat turned his bare buttocks against the Jews faces speaking words as unseemly as was his gesture At which insolence the whole multitude began to murmur and they flocked about Cumanus requesting him to punish the Soldier for his misdemeanour And some of them rash young men and prone to Sedition began to revile the Soldiers and threw stones at them Cumanus feareth the people's 〈◊〉 Cumanus fearing that the whole multitude of the Jews would violently move against him called to him many armed Soldiers and sent them to seize the Gates of the Temple Some ten thousand men thronged to death The Jews being in great fear fled and left the Temple and there was such a throng that as they hasted to flee above ten thousand people O were prest and trodden to death So that this Festival day was turned into woful lamentations and mournings in every place This calamity was followed soon after by A another The year of the World 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. for near Bethoron one Stephanus Servant to Caesar carrying some rich houshold-stuff was robbed of it in the High-way But Cumanus sending for those in the Villages next adjoyning in order to discover the Thieves commanded them to be bound and brought to him because they had not taken the Thieves In one of which Villages a certain Soldier finding the Book of the Holy Scripture A Soldier cuts the Book of the Holy Scripture in pieces and burneth it cut it in pieces and burnt it Hereupon all the Jews of this Countrey gathered themselves together from all places being no less incensed than if they had seen their Countrey set on fire and carried by zeal for their Religion they forthwith went to Caesarea to Cumanus there beseeching him that the Soldier who had affronted God and their Law might not escape unpunished The Soldier executed that burned the Bible Cumanus perceiving that the Jews would not be appeased without B some satisfaction condemned the Soldier to death and sent him to Execution in their presence which done they all departed At the same time there arose a great difference between the Galileans and Samaritans A Galilean slain in Samaria for at a Village called Geman scituate in the great Plain of Samaria a certain Galilean of the number of the Jews that came to the Feast was slain For which fact many Galileans joyned together to be revenged of the Samaritans And the Principal of the Countrey went to Cumanus requesting him before any more harm were done to go into Galilee and punish the Authors of this Murther But Cumanus being busied in greater Affairs sent them away without granting their request When this murther was known in Jerusalem all the multitude left the solemnity of the Festival C and went to Samaria Eleazar and Alexander two Princes of the Jews exercise much cruelty refusing to be restrained by the Magistrates Of this their Tumult and Sedition the Son of Dinaeus called Eleazar and one Alexander were Captains who with violence entring the Borders of the Countrey of Lacrabatana killed man woman and child and burnt the Towns When Cumanus heard this he took the Cavalry of Sebaste and went to help them that were thus oppressed and he killed and made Prisoners many of them who took part with Eleazar Now the Magistrates of Jerusalem went out to the rest of the Jews which so wasted Samaria clothed in sack-cloth and ashes upon their heads and beseeched them not to seek revenge
corrupted with money 278. E. F. Judges qualities 112. L. their office 234. E. placed in every City of Juda ibid. E. Judgment seat in several Cities 149. A. Julian his valour and death 743. D. E. Julius Ant. for the Jews 432. L. Jupiter Eâ—yelius reliques 33. D. Justice is Gods power 112. K. Justice of God 254. C. leaves nothing unpunished 598. H. Justice oppressed 149. D. Justice neglected 565. A. B. Justice of the Esseans 613. E. Justification of Samuel 153. C. Justus inciteth the people to rebellion 3. D. reproved 19. F. his Country Tyberius 20. K. accused 23. E. condemned to death 20. N. his book when published 21. B. desireth to command Galilee 22. M. Izates King of Adiabena 529. A. learneth the service of God ibid. disswaded from circumcision 529. B. writeth to the Parthians c. 531. A. calleth upon God 532. L. delivereth the Kingdom to his brother 532. M. dieth ibid. K. KEeper of the prisons entreaty of Joseph 54. K. Kind of living most miserable 731. E. F. Kindness of Agrippâ— 11. C. Kinds of sacrifice two 91. A. Kindness pretended 598. N. Kindness of Herod 599. F. Fat Kine and lean what they signifie 55. D. King desired 150. I. Kings field 37. E. Five Kings of the Midianites slain 108. O. Of a King to be elected what things are required 113. B. The Kings of Canaan war against the Hebrews 125. D. they and their whole Army put to the sword ibid. B. 31 Kings overcome by the Hebrews 126. H. Kings of Egypt why called Pharaoâ—s 214. M. N. Kings of Alexandria called Ptolomies 214. M. King of Moab sacrificeth his son 237. L. King enjoyned by oath to serve God 245. I. Kingdom of Solomon rent 217. O. 219. H. A Kingdom how continued 158. N. Kingdom promised to Jeâ—ues posterity 240. B. Kingdom of Herod divided 471. D. B. Kingdom not given but the honours thereof 587. G. Kingdom of Agrippa 618. L. Kindred 43. B. 45. F. Kinsman 47. E. Knowledge of celestial bodies 30. K. Knowledge of good and evil 28. L. L. LAban Bethuels son 45. E. conâ—enteth to Rebeccaâ—â— marriage 43. C. entertaineth Jacob 45. E. appointeth him master of his shepherds 4â— I. deceiveth him ibid. L. pursueth after him 47 C. maketh a covenant with him 48. H. his goods 47. B. Labour of the Esseans 613. A. of the Roman Souldiers 660. N. ceasâ—ess 735. C. Ladder of Jacob 45. B. Ladies at variance 595. E. Lake Asphaltites 37. C. described 702. K. the property thereof 702. K. Lake of Genezar 679. H. Lakes Asphaltites and Tiberias 701. D. Lamech his wives and issue 29. F. Lamech Methusalaâ—s son 30. O. Lamentation of Esau and why 44. N. Lamentation of Jacob 52. M. of the Hebrews 119. F. Lamentation of thirty days 115. E. Lamentation for Abner 177. F. for Aristobulus 381. L. Land of the Ammorites possessed 105. B. Land-marks not to be removed 113. B. Land of Canaan divided by Lots 126. K. Land of Sodom where 702. M. Lap of Sauls Garment cut 167. G. Largess of Titus to his Souldiers 761. B. Largeness of Jewry 790. N. Laver how sustained 209. M. round lavers ibid. N. A Law most cruel 62. O. Laws made by Moses 111. B. C. Laws of adultery and jealousie 93. F. of the seventh year 94. L. of the fathers forsaken 107. E. of the plough 113. D. of like for like 117. B. of violence 116. M. of war 118. H. I. against wall-breakers 422. I. against forsakers of their places 734. K. of poyson 117. A. Laws of the Jews of great Antiquity 814. K. Law-makers of the Gentiles 814. I. Laws of the Gentiles 814. L. Lea Labans daughter 46. L. sustituted in Rackels place ibid. L. bare to Jacob four sons ibid. N. League of Isaac with Abimelech 44. I. of David with Hiram 179. E. of him with Solomon 207. D. Hircâ—â—â—â— with the Romans 336. I. K. 346. D. E. Learning of Daniel 267. O. of Joseph 1. E. Lagacies of Herod 462. K. Legions of the Romans 660. K. 711. C. Lending upon usury unlawful 116. I. Length of the Ark of Noab 30. N. Length of the Temple 208. M. Lenity of Saul 153. A. Lenity of Magistrates 157. D. Lepers driven out of the City 93. Gâ— 39. N. 〈…〉 250. â— C. Leprosie of Oziâ—s 250. B. Letters of David 184. L. of Senacherib 256. C. of Artaxerxes for the security of the Jews 291. L. of Ptolomy 390. E. of Eleazar 301. B. of Demetrius 336. E. Levi son of Jacob 46. N. slew the Sichemites 49. C. his sons 61. B. Levites wife 130. H. I. abused dieth c. 130. M. N. Tribe of Levi sacred to God 93. A. Levites sing hymns 235. K. numbred 200. N. Liberality of the Enchantress 171. G. of Herod 585. B. of Helena 530. K. of Izates ibid. Liberty of the Israelites 73. D. restored 133. C. Liberty of speech 231. L. 582. M. Liberty a precious thing 514. I. Liberties granted to the Jews 800. L. M. Library of Ptol. Philadelphus 298. D. Lice a plague of Egypt 69. C. Lie of Posidonius confuted 802. O. Lie of Apion concerning our oath 805. B. C. Life of Moses 807. B. Life of subjects like to their Princes 221. C. Light created 27. E. called day ibid. E. Lightnings horrible when 78. O. Lightnings on the enemies 148. M. Limits of the nine Tribes and halfs possession 126. K. c. Limits of a Kingdom enlarged 248. G. Line of Achab rooted out 243. M. Line of Joseph 1. B. Linnen and woollen garment 112. H. Logion or rational of the High Priest 87. C. Longinus breaketh into the Jews army 726. H. Loss of the Ark 144. N. and why ibid. Loss of Sauls Kingdom foretold 157. F. and why ibid. of the Empire of Asia 249. K. Loss of the General dismays the Souldiers 233. K. Lot son of Aram 35. D. had choice of the Land 36. O. led away captive 37. C. rescued 11. E. receiveth Angels 39. A. fled to Zoar 39. C. committed incest ibid. D. Lots wife 39. C. Lots cast 124. I. 126. K. c. 151. E. 155. G. Lots cast to kill one another 776. L. 673. C. Love of women blindeth 107. E. and causeth to serve strange gods ibid. E. F. 216. G. 217. H. Love of Jonathan towards David 162. I. 164. H. 164. K. of Joseph to his Country 731. C. Lovers of Order c. 806. O. Lust of Putiphars wife 53. A. F. of the Gabeans 130. L. M. of Caius 516. L. of the Egyptians 36. L. Lusty Jews reserved 758. N. Lybia of whom called Africa 42. H. Lycurgus among the Lacedaemonians 811. E. Lysius General of Antiochus army 317. I. invadeth Judaea 318. G. is overcome 318. C. once again invadeth Judaea ibid. Lysimachus killeth Apollodotus 353. L. betrayeth Gaza ibid. M. MAchâ—ras killeth many Jews 387. M. fortifieth Geth 388. D. his iniquity 577. D. Madness counterfeited 165. D. Midianites Embassage to Balaam 105. E. their daughters seduce the Hebrews 107. D. put to flight and slain 108. L. subdue
but God deliver'd me from them all Moreover I received in gift from Vespasian an ample possession in Judaea and about the â—â—me time I forsook my Wife because her manners pleased me not although she was the Mother of my three Children of whom two are deceased and the third called Hircanus is yet alive After this I married a Wife that was born in Candy Joseph's third Wife by Nation a Jew and by Birth Noble and one of the greatest Reputation amongst the Inhabitants endow'd with as laudable manners as any other Woman M whatsoever Bâ— her I had two Sons Justus who was the eldest and Simon who was also sirnamed Agrippa Thus far touching my domestical affairs To which I must add that I have always continu'd to be honour'd with the good-will of the Emperors For after Vespasian's death Titus who succeeded him in the Empire continued the same favor which his Father had shew'd me For although I was oftentimes accused yet were not my Adversaries believ'd Domitian who succeeded him augmented my Honors For he punish'd those Jews that accused me and gave order that the Eunuch and slave whom I kept to teach my Son The perpetual favor of the Caesars towards Joseph and by whom I was accus'd should be punished He granted me exemption also from all the Tributes of Judaea which is one of the greatest Honors that a Man can receive And as for Domitia the Emperor's Wife she always continued N her good affection towards me Behold here the short Recital of my whole Life whereby let each Man conjecture of my Manners As for you O thrice excellent Epaphroditus after I have dedicated to you the Continuation of my Antiquities I will forbear to say more thereof A MAP OF THE HOLY LAND delineated for the better understanding of the HISTORY OF IOSEPHUS By P. du Val the King's Geographer 1675. R White sculp THE HOLY LAND described according to the NEW TESTAMENT to shew the places remarkable for the residences and journeys of our SAVIOUR A Scale of Leagues each consisting of 3000 Geometrical Paces A THE HISTORY OF THE B JEWS C The Preface of Josephus THey who apply themselves to write History have not all one and the same intent and motive but oftentimes very different causes of their labours For some are led to this study by a desire to shew their Eloquence and to gain Reputation Others do it to oblige the persons whose actions they relate and they strive to the uttermost to please them Others engage upon it because having born a part in the Events which they describe they are willing that the Publick should have knowledge of the same Lastly D others employ themselves this way for that they cannot suffer that things worthy to be known by all the world should remain buried in silence Now of these forenamed causes the two last are these that incited me to write For on the one side in regard I was an Actor in the War against the Romans and a Witness of the Actions which pass'd therein and also know what were the several Events thereof I conceiv'd my self oblig'd and in a manner forc'd to write the History of the same to the end to manifest the unfaithfulness of those who having written concerning this Subject before me have disguis'd and perverted the Truth And on the other side I have reason to believe that the Greeks will be well pleas'd with this Work because it will afford them an Account of the Antiquity of our Nation and the Form of our Common-wealth Translated out of Hebrew into their own Tongue When I began the History of the E foresaid War I purposed to lay open to the World How and whence the Jews had their first original What alterations in Fortune they had fall'n into By what Lawmaker they had been instructed in Piety and incited to the exercise of Virtue What Wars they sustained through several Ages and finally How against their will they became engaged in this last against the Romans But for that this Subject was too ample and copious to be treated only in passing I thought fit to make a separate Work after it and accordingly set upon this Treatise Afterwards as it usually hapneth to those that attempt matters of great difficulty I fell into a certain slothfulness which made me very backward to resolve upon the Translation of so long a History into a Foreign Language Yet some there were who inflamed with a desire of knowledge animated me to this action and especially Epaphroditus a man enamor'd of all Learning F and particularly History which is not to be wonder'd at since himself hath had very considerable Employments and experienc'd several Accidents of Fortune in all which he hath shewed a marvellous magnanimity of courage with an unmoveable resolution to follow Virtue Being thus persuaded by him who is accustomed to encourage those whom he perceives dispos'd to perform things profitable and honest and which is more being ashamed in my self that I should rather take delight to follow idleness than addict my self to so laudable an exercise I resum'd my Work and with so much the greater cheerfulness when I consider'd with my self that our Ancestors never made any difficulty to communicate matters of this nature to strangers and that the most famous among the Greeks have been curious to understand what passes amongst us For Ptolomy King of Egypt the second of the Name highly affectioned G to good Letters and desirous to store and gather Books at incredible charge caus'd our Laws and Customs and manners of living to be Translated into the Greek Tongue And our High Priest Eleazar who was not second in virtue to any other whatsoever thought not fit to deny this satisfaction to that Prince as he would without doubt have done had it not been the H ordinary course of our Ancestors not to conceal from other men such things as are good and laudable For which cause I have held it a matter no ways undecent for me to follow the goodness and generosity of that worthy High Priest and the rather for that even at this day I suppose many are no less well affected to good Letters than that great King Yet the Copy of all the Holy Scripture was not given him but those Translators who were sent unto him to Alexandria did only communicate that unto him which belongs to our Law But the things that are found written in the Sacred Books of Holy Scripture are innumerable being the History of five thousand years in which divers extraordinary Events and Revolutions sundry great Wars and many glorious Actions done by excellent Captains are described In sum if any one have a desire to read this History he shall principally learn and observe That all things fall out I happily and beyond their expectation to those men who observe the Will of God and are afraid to transgress his Commandments and that God hath prepared for such
the crown and reward of Felicity as on the contrary that they who depart from the diligent observance thereof instead of succeeding in their designs how just soever the same may seem to themselves fall into all sort of misfortunes and into miseries without recovery For which cause I exhort all those that shall read these Books to conform themselves to the Will of God and to observe in Moses our excellent Law-giver how worthily he hath spoken of his Divine Nature how he hath manifested that all his Works are proportionable to his infinite Greatness and how his whole Narration thereof is pure and free from the vanity of Fables wherewith all other Histories are poysoned For the Antiquity alone of his History secures him from the suspition K that one might entertain of his having mingled any thing of fabulous in his writings inasmuch as he was born more than two thousand years ago which is a continuance of Ages to which the Poets neither durst refer the original of their gods neither the deeds or laws of men whereof they make mention But in pursuit of our History the sequel of our Discourse shall declare all things exactly and in the order which is observ'd in the Sacred Books For in compiling this Work I have promised neither to add nor to pretermit any thing And for that all whatsoever we shall declare doth almost wholly depend on the knowledge which the wisdom of our Lawmaker Moses hath given us thereof it is necessary before all other things that I speak somewhat of himself lest perhaps any man should wonder that in a History wherein it may seem that I ought to relate nothing but Actions pass'd and Precepts concerning manners nevertheless L I intermix so many things which concern the knowledge of Nature We ought therefore to know that Moses thought it most especially necessary for him that will either virtuously dispose his own life or impose Laws to other men to begin with the knowledge of God and after having attentively consider'd all his Works to strive as much as in him lieth to imitate his most perfect example and follow him with all diligence For it is impossible that a Law-giver being void of this contemplation should have good sense or that his writings should be of any moment to induce them unto virtue who should receive those Laws except before all things they learn that God who is the Father and Lord of all and that seeth all giveth happy life unto those that follow him and contrariwise invironeth them with great calamities who forsake the way of virtue and righteousness Moses therefore intending to instruct his Citizens in M this doctrine began not his Ordinances with the Treatise of Contracts and Covenants which we practise one with another as other Lawgivers are accustomed to do but he hath raised their minds to the knowledge of God taught them in what manner this World was made by him and shew'd them that the principal work among all those things which God made in the World is Man And after that he had made them capable of things concerning Piety then might he more easily persuade them in the rest Whereas other Lawgivers addicting themselves unto Fables have in their discourse imposed on their gods the infamy of sins committed by men and by that means have brought to pass that the wicked sort are yet more wicked and addicted to evil doing But our admirable Lawgiver after having declared that God is in himself all virtue pure and unspotted he shews that men also ought to endeavor to imitate the same and on those N that neither conceive nor believe those things he inflicteth a grievous and inevitable punishment I exhort the Reader therefore to examine our Writings according to these Rules for to those that consider after this manner nothing shall seem either absurd or unworthy the Majesty of God or of his love to men by reason that all things have their disposition conformable to the universal nature which our Lawgiver hath declared sometimes obscurely sometimes in convenient Allegories gravely and elsewhere expressing that manifestly and publishing that in plain words which ought openly to be made known The causes whereof if any man would search he might find need of a most deep and philosophical contemplation which I overslip at this present without staying longer thereon but if God shall give me time I will inforce my self to compose it in a Volume as soon as I shall have finished this Work For this present then I O will apply my self to relate those things which have been done beginning at the Creation of the World according as Moses hath taught us and I have found written in the Holy Scriptures A The First Book of the History of the JEWS drawn out of the Old Testament and continu'd to the Empire of NERO by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS under the Title of JEWISH ANTIQUITIES The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Creation of the World Adam and Eve disobey the Command of God and are driven B out of the earthy Paradise 2. Cain kills his Brother Abel God banishes him for it His Posterity is as wicked as himself The Virtues of Seth the other Son of Adam 3. Of the Posterity of Adam till the Deluge from which God preserved Noah and his Family in the Ark. 4. Of the Tower of Babylon and the change of Tongues 5. How Noah's Posterity disperst themselves thorough the whole World 6. The Descendants of Noah down to Jacob. The several Countries which they possess'd 7. How Abraham the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea C 8. Abraham pressed by Famine departed into Egypt where having stayed awhile at last he returned back again 9. The overthrow of the Sodomites by the Assyrians Lot is taken Prisoner 10. Abraham parsueth the Assyrians and returneth victorious 11. The destruction of Sodom 12. Of Ishmael Abraham's Son and of the Arabians Posterity 13. Of Isaac Abraham's Legitimate Son 14. The death of Sarah Abraham's Wife Gen. 23. per totum 15. How the Nation of the Troglodytes descended from Chetura the Wife of Abraham 16. Of Abraham's death Gen. 25. 7 8. D 17. Of Isaac's Sons Esau and Jacob and of their Nativity and Education Gen. 25. 18. How Jacob fled into Mesopotamia for fear of his Brother Gen. 28. 19. Isaac dieth and is buried in Hebron Gen. 35. 29. CHAP. I. The Creation of the World Adam and Eve disobey the Command of God and are driven out of the earthly Paradise IN the Beginning God created Heaven and Earth The year of the World 1 before Christ's Nativity 3963. Now the Earth not being subject to sight but covered with thick darkness and traversed with an Air coming from E high God commanded that there should be Light and after the Light was made having considered the universal matter he separated
was requisite for necessity or pleasure 12. Adam asketh pardon might have hapned of it self unto you by my only providence without any travel or care on your parts which if you had well used your life would have been very lovely and very happy Adam's punishment but you have scorned this mine Ordinance and broken my Commandments 13. Eves punishment For in that thou art silent at this time it proceedeth N not of respect but of evil of which thou findest thy self culpable Adam excuseth his sin as well as he could 17 18. The Seed of the Woman that is Christ shall bruise the Serpent's head and prayed God not to be incensed against him laying the fault of that which had hapned upon his Wife alledging that he had offended by reason he was deceived by her and the Woman accused the Serpent But God for his punishment because he had suffer'd himself to be overcome by the counsel of a Woman declared that the earth thenceforward never more of its own accord should bring forth fruit but only when they till'd it with the sweat of their countenance Gen. 3. 14 15. nor should it always yield all that was expected from it The Serpent's punishment And as touching Eve he chastised her with Child-bearing and throes in Travel for that being her self deceived by the Serpent she had drawn her Husband by the same means into extreme misery He took also from the Serpent his speech and O was displeased with him * Joseph's ignorance in understanding this place of Scripture by reason of the malice he had conceived against Adam and he put venom on his tongue declaring him an enemy both to Man and Woman whom A he commanded to bruise the head of the Serpent as well for that all the evil which chanced unto Men 14. proceeded from his head as also in that being assaulted in that part he is most easily put to death The year of the World 1. before Christ's Nativity 3963. Moreover having deprived him of his feet he condemned him to slide and trail himself along the earth After God had ordained them to suffer these punishments he drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of delights into nanother place CHAP. II. Cain kills his Brother Abel God banishes him for it His Posterity is as wicked as himself The virtues of Seth the other Son of Adam B BUt Adam and Eve had two male-children Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. the first whereof was called Cain which signifies acquisition and the second was called Abel which signifies mourning they had also three Daughters Gen. 4. v 1 2. These Brothers were of very different inclinations Of Cain and Abel Brethren Abel the younger honoured justice and supposing that God was present in all his actions he always and wholy fixed his thoughts on virtue and his exercise was keeping of sheep But Cain being a wicked Man 2. The year of the World 70. before Christ's Nativity 894. and addicted to unsatiable desire of profit was he that first found out the use of the Plough He killed his Brother for the cause which ensueth Having concluded among themselves to sacrifice unto God Cain offered the fruits of his labour and planting Abel presented milk and the firstlings of his fold which sacrifice of his was more acceptable to God in that it rather consisted of things produced of themselves by the order of nature 3. The sacrifice of Cain and Abel than that which Cains covetousness C had forcibly in a manner extorted from nature Hereupon Cain being enrag'd because his Brother Abel was more honoured by God than himself slew his Brother and having hidden his body out of sight 4. Weak reason in Josephus he thought the murder would be concealed But God well knowing the fact appeared to Cain and questioned him concerning his Brother what was become of him 5 6 7. Cain slew his Brother Abel for that for some days he had not seen him whereas before they had been always together Cain being troubled and ignorant what answer to make unto God said at first that he wondred what was the cause his Brother was so long absent 8. The talk betwixt God and Cain but afterwards being troubled that God continued the question and more closely press'd him he said he was not his Brothers keeper nor bound to take care of his affairs 9. 10 11 12. Then God reproved and convicted Cain of murthering his Brother D and ask'd him how he dar'd deny the knowledge of his brothers death where as he himself had slain him Notwithstanding God forbare to inflict upon him the punishment deserved for this murther by reason that Cain offer'd sacrifice and made request unto God that it would please him to remit somewhat of the severity of his justice against him Yet did God curse him and threaten to punish his Posterity to the seventh Generation Cain's banishment Then did he drive him and his Wife out of that Countrey whereat Cain being affrighted for fear of being encountred and devour'd by some Savage Beasts God commanded him to suspect no dangerous event for that cause 14. assuring him that he might safely travel thorow all Regions 15. without being either assaulted or seized by Savage Beasts and having set his mark upon him by which he E might be known he commanded him to depart the Countrey After that Cain accompanied with his Wife had travelled thorow divers Regions he made his abode at Nais 16. Cain is not bettered by Gods chastisements and in that place had several Children But he made not use of this chastisement for his better amendment but rather became worse and worse for he abandoned himself to all sensual pleasures making it his sport to outrage those with whom he conversed filling his house with riches gotten by rapine and violence and gathering together other wicked and debauch'd Men he taught them to commit all sorts of crimes and impieties he destroy'd that simplicity which Men before that time had used in their mutual societies Measures and Waights found out by Cain by the inventions of Measures and Weights the ignorance whereof was the cause that the life of Man was estranged from deceit but instead F and place of free and plain sincerity Enos the first City he introduced fraud and deceit He it was that first bounded the fields and built the first City and made a Wall and a rampire enforcing his Followers to dwell therein This City he named Enos by the name of Enos his first begotten Son Jared was the Son of Enos of Jared issued Malaleel whose Son was Methusala 1â— 18 20. who begot Lamech who had 77 Children by his two Wives Sella and Ada amongst whom Jobel the Son of Ada was the first that made Tents and took delight to lead a pastoral life contenting himself with the same Jubal his
Brother invented Musick Jubal inventes of Musick and the Psaltery and Harp And as touching Thobel one of his Sons by his other Wife Sella he surpassed all his other Brethren in courage and bravely managed the affairs of War by which means he got Riches and Means to maintain his G life with more pleasure than formerly 21 22. He it was that first invented the art of Forging and was Father to a Daughter named Naama But Lamech being well instructed in divine things and foreseeing that he should suffer punishment for the fratricide of Cain he told it to his two Wives So it was that during the life of Adam himself the successors of Cain were most H wicked Ver. 23 24. teaching and imitating one anothers wickedness the last of them proving always the worst The year of the World 70 before Christ's Nativity 2894. so that they were strangely inflamed to follow War and Theft and if perhaps some of them were more remiss than others in committing Murthers and outrages yet were they rapacious enough to spoil and possess the goods and heritages of other Men. But Adam the first Man made of Earth for the History requireth that I should return to speak of him after the death of Abel and the flight of Cain earnestly desired to have Children Cain the Father of hypocrits and evil Men. and accordingly he had many being about the age of two hundred and thirty years besides which after he had lived some seven hundred more at last he died amongst whose Children was Seth. Now for that it were too long to speak of all of them I will onely touch that which concerneth I Seth 25. Adams years 930. He being nourished and trained by his Father to the years of discretion studied virtue and left his descendants Heirs and followers of his sanctity who being all of them well born Gen. 4. 26. remained in the World free from all contention Gen. 5 3 4 5 and lived happily Seth the Son of Adam a vertuous Man so that it never hapned that any of them in any sort did injury to any Man To these we owe the science of Astronomy and all that which concerneth the Beauty and Order of the Heavens And to the end that their inventions might not wear out of the memories of Men nor perish before they were perfectly known insomuch as Adam had foretold them of the general destruction of all things after two sorts Two Pillers raised the one by the force of fire and the other by the violence and abundance of Waters they made two pillars the one of Brick and the other of Stone and ingraved K in each of them such things as they had invented to the end if that of Brick should be abolished by the overflowings and rage of Waters that other of Stone might remain and declare unto Men that which was imprinted thereon for their instructions That of Brick was destroyed by the deluge but the other of Stone is to be seen in the Countrey of Syna even to this present day CHAP. III. Of the Posterity of Adam till the Deluge from which God preserved Noah and his Family in the Ark. IN this manner Mankind liv'd for seven Generations Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. honouring one God the Lord L of all things and having always a respect of virtue But afterwards in process of time Gen. 5. 6. they degenerated from the ancient institutions of their fore-fathers Those whom Josephus nameth in this place Angels Moses calleth the Sons of God neither observing humane Laws nor continuing their accustomed service of God and they that before industroâ—â—sly exiercised themselves in virtue afterward with twice as zealous study followed wickedness and grew at last to that height of impiety that they provoked Gods heavy displeasure against them For the Angels of God marrying with the Daughters of Seth's descendants Gen. 6. 2. produc'd a race of insolent People contemners of all good by reason of the trust they had in their Forces Heb. 11. 7. and for their heinous actions not unlike the Giants which the Greeks mention in their Fables 2. Pet. 2. 7. 11. 13. But Noah perplexed and extremely M displeased with such their misdemeanors exhorted them to change their lives and amend their misdeeds and seeing them moved by no admonitions but wholly possessed with the pleasure which they took in vices he fearing lest they should kill him and his Family left them to their loosness and with his Wife Children and all his Family departed into another Countrey Noah departeth into another Countrey 13. Then God who lov'd him for his justice became so provoked with the malice and corruption of the rest of Mankind that he resolved to destroy all Creatures whatsoever in the World and to produce another new race innocent and repurged from all impiety He abridged also the time of their life so that they lived not any more so long as they were wont but onely attained the term of sixscore years and he covered the Land with Waters by which means all of them N were destroyed 14. Noahs Ark. onely Noah escaped by the means and way which God taught him He built an Ark of four stages in length three hundred Cubits in breadth fifty and in height thirty into this he entred with his Mother his Wife and his Children and their Wives 15. having provided himself of all things requisite both for their sustenance and use he closed also therein all sorts of living creatures Gen. 7. 2 7 8. two and two male and female for the conservation of every kind and of some of them seven couples The sides of this Ark were strong Noahs genealogy and the cover also so that no water could pierce the same and whatsoever storm might come The deluge it was able to resist it Thus was Noah by lineal descent the tenth from Adam saved with all his houshold for he was the Son of Lemech whose Father was Methusala the Son of Enos the Son of Jared the Son of Malaleel O who with divers other Brethren were begotten by Cainan who was the Son of Enos who was the Son of Seth who was the Son of Adam This destruction hapned in the A six hundredth year of Noah's age and the second month The year of the World 1656. before Christ's Nativity 1308. which was called Dius by the Macedonians and by the Hebrews Marsomane for so have the Egyptians distinguisht the year but Moses sets down Nisan for the first month in his Chronicles which is Xanthicus among the Macedonians for that in this month he brought the Israelites out of the thraldom of the Egyptians Nisan or Zanthicus is April to us He made this Law therefore that all things which appertain to divine service should take their beginning and reckoning from this month but in respect of civil matters as
King of that Countrey where she then was K To this commandment of God Agar submitted her self with all obedience 9 10. and returning back again to her Mistriss she obtained pardon at her hands and after a while brought forth Ishmael which is as much as to say is Heard by God because God had heard the Mothers prayers 16 17. Ishmael was born to Abraham when he was fourscore and six years old but in the fourscore and nineteenth year of his age God appeared unto him and told him that he should have a Son by Sara charging him to call him Isaac and giving him to understand Isaac promised Gen. 17. 1 2 c. ad finem that great Nations and Kings should issue from his loynes who by force of Arms should conquer all the Countrey of Canaan from Sidon even unto Egypt Commanding him also that his Posterity should be circumcised in their privities and that this circumcision should be made the eighth day after the birth by reason that he L would not have Abraham's Posterity intermixed with other Nations But hereafter I will declare another cause of our circumcision Abraham also asked counsel of God touching Ishmael whether he should live or no and God told him that he should flourish many years and that he should become a Father of many worthy Nations Then gave Abraham thanks unto God and presently circumcised himself and his Son Ishmael with all his Family and Ishmael at that time was thirteen years old but Abraham about fourscore and nineteen years of age CHAP. XI The destruction of Sodom M ABout that time the inhabitants of Sodom became immeasurably proud Gen. 18. by reason of their affluence Hedio Ruffinus chap. 19. prosperity and great riches and committed outrages against men and impieties against God The sins of the Sodomites in such manner as they had forgotten the benefits which they had received at his hands hating strangers and giving up themselves to the Practice of unnatural and abominable Lusts Whereat God being displeased decreed to punish their intolerable Pride to ruine their City from the foundations and in such sort to make desolate their Countrey that from thence forward it should neither nourish plant nor bring forth Fruit. Abraham entertaineth Angels After God had pronounced this sentence against the Sodomites Abraham as he sate under the Oak at Mambres before the door of his Tent beheld N three Angels and supposing them to be Men and Strangers he arose and saluted them and approaching near unto them v. 1 2 3 4. 5. he desired them that they would accept of his entertainment and lodge with him Whereunto when they had condescended he commanded his Servants to bake them bread of the finest flower and having killed and roasted a Calf he set it before them as they sate under the oak which it seemed to him they did eat but they enquired of him where Sarah his Wife was to whom he answered that she was within on the Tent. They told him then that they would return again and that they should find her a Mother But when his Wife smiled thereat and said that it was impossible for her to bear Children The year of the World 2084. before Christs Nativity 1916. especially in that her self was at that time ninety years old and her Husband an hundred they discovered themselves O and declar'd that they were Angels of God and that they were sent one of them to assure him that he should have a Son the other two to destroy Sodom Which A when Abraham heard 9 10. he was sorry for the Sodomites and arising besought God that he would not destroy both the just and the unjust together 12 16. To whom God gave this answer that there was not one just Man among the Sodomites 17. ad 23. and that if he might but find ten The Angel promised Abraham that he shall have a Son and foretells the destruction of Sodem he would spare the City from punishment Whereupon Abraham held his peace and the Angels entered into Sodom where they were no sooner arrived but Lot invited them to take their lodging in his house for he was a Man much given to hospitality which he had learnt from the example of Abraham But the Sodomites perceiving that those young Men which were entered Lots house were of excellent beauty began to offer outrage and villany to their persons Gen. 19. 1. notwithstanding that Lot exhorted them to forbare The Angels enter Lot's house and not to offer villany to his guests but in some sort to have a respect to his B house telling them that rather then they should commit such a crime he would give them his Daughters to use at their pleasure v. 3 4. But he prevailed nothing with them whereupon God was in such wise provoked by their iniquity that he struck them with blindness so that they could not find the gate to enter into Lots house 5 6. and condemned the Sodomites to a general perdition 7 8. In order whereunto he commanded Lot to remove out of the City verse 11. with his Wife The year of the World 2948. before Christs Nativity 1916. and his two Daughters who were as yet unmarried and their betrothed Husbands but these last although forewarn'd by him contemned Lots advice and held him for a dotard Then did God shoot the arrows of his vengeance upon the City burning it and all the Inhabitants therein and desolating by the same fire all the Countries round about 12 13 14 24. in such sort as hath already been declared by me in the History C I writ of the Wars of the Jews The Sodomites are blinded But Lots Wife as they retired thence looking back towards the City Lot and his family are saved and more curiously beholding the destruction thereof contrary to the commandment of God was transformed into a Pillar of Salt which is to be seen even until this day 26. Lot himself and his Daughters fled and dwelt in a little Countrey which the fire had spared Lot fled to Zoar called Zoar which in Hebrew signifieth little In this place which was void of Men 30 ad 35. and scant of Victuals Lot dwelt a long time leading a solitary and poor life and his Daughters supposing that all Mankind was extingushed upon the earth subtilly circumventing their Father lay with him when he least suspected it 36 37 38. By this their approachment they bare him two Sons the elder a Son named Moab which is as much as to say The interpretation of the names of Moab and Ammon of my Father this is he that was the Father of the Moabites D which even at this day are a great Nation the younger Ammon which signifieth the Son of my Race or kind from whom the Ammonites descended and both these two Nations inhabit the
Countrey of Coelosyria In this sort Lot escaped from the burning of Sodom As for Abraham Hedio Ruffinus chap. 20. he went and dwelt in Gerar in the Countrey of Palestine leading with him his Wife Sara in quality of his sister Gen. 20. 1 2 3 4 5 6. using the same subtilty which before he had practised for fear of the Egyptians for he feared Abimelech the King of that Countrey Abimelech surprised with the love of Sara who falling in love of Sara would have ravished her had he not been hindred by a most grievous sickness which God inflicted upon him so that being out of all hope of recovery at such time as he slept there appeared unto him a vision which told him that he should take heed lest he offered any outrage to the strangers Wife E who was come into his Countrey and after he was somewhat recovered he told his Friends how God had sent him that sickness in favour of the stranger and to preserve his Wife from violence for that she was not his Sister but his lawful Wife and he bid Abraham thenceforward be of good chear promising him that the honour of his Wife had remained inviolated This said he dismissed Abraham by the counsel of his Friends and told him that he needed not to suspect his Wife by reason she had suffered no villany Assuring him that God had care of her and that he delivered her in safety to him being to that end protected by his mighty power and in confirmation thereof he called God to record and the womans conscience vowing that he would not have taken her from him if he had known she had been Married moreover he F desired him to be at Peace with him and by his Prayers to appease Gods wrath which was kindled against him And said that if thenceforward he would stay with them he should want nothing 11 12 13. or if he listed to depart he promised him Guides and all other things for which he came into his Countrey Abraham answered him that he had in no sort dissembled with him in calling his Wife his Sister for that she was his Brothers Daughter and that he thought he could not safely travel thorow his Countrey except he had used this subtilty avowing moreover that he was sorry to have been the cause of his sickness which had befaln him that he heartily wisht his health and was ready to abide with him Whereupon Abimelech bestowed on him both Lands and Money and accorded to converse with him in all uprightness and without offer of offence and made a Covenant G and sware unto him at a certain Pit which was called Bersabe that is to say the Pit of swearing or Covenant which name that place retaineth until this day Not long after Abraham had a Son by Sara his Wife according as God had promised him and he called his name Isaac which in the Hebrew tongue signifieth laughter because Sara laughed H at such time as God said unto her she should bear a Son 14 15 16. having in her self no likelihood of conceiving Bersabe the pit of swearing by reason she was stricken in years For at that time she was ninety years old and Abraham one hundred when the child was born and on the eighth day after his birth he was circumcised which custom is yet continued amongst the Jews who circumcise on the eighth day Gen. 21 1 2 3 Isaac laughter CHAP. XII Of Ishmael The year of the World 2048. before Christs Nativity 1916. Abraham's Son and of the Arabians Posterity BUt the Arabians circumcise not till the age of thirteen years because Ishmael their I Ancestor and Abraham's Son by the Concubine was circumcised in the thirteenth year after he was born Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Of which Ishmael it behoveth to speak more exactly in this place Sara loved Ishmael begotten on her Servant Agar from the beginning Gen. 21. 9 10. with no less affection than if he had been her own Son The Jews were wont to circumcise on the eighth day so that he was brought up as Abrahams heir But after she had brought forth Isaac she thought it no more requisite that Ishmael should be brought up with her Son because he was elder and might after his Fathers decease become the Master The Arabians not before 13. years She incited Abraham therefore to send both him and his Mother to some other place but at first he gave no ear to Sara's request thinking it more than barbarous cruelty Abraham banisheth Ishmael and Agar to drive away a tender Child and his Mother destitute of all necessaries At length by the Commandment of God he listened to his Wifes counsel and K committed the Child unto his Mother being of himself as yet unapt to travel and giving them a Pitcher of Water and Bread he commanded them to go thither whither their necessity should drive them And when their Victuals failed them and their Water was consumed she laid the Child being faint and weak under an Oak and to the end that in her presence he should not breathe his last she went a little way from him At that time an Angel of God appeared unto her The Angel of God meeteth with Agar shewing her a Fountain hard by that place and charging her to look to the careful education of her Child because that by the conservation of Ishmael she was to expect great happiness Upon these promises she took comfort and falling into the company of shepherds she by their bounty was relieved in her distress The twelve Sons of Ishmael L Afterwards when Ishmael had attained Mans estate he Married a Wife of the Nation of the Egyptians from whence his Mother had her original by whom he had twelve Sons Gen. 25. namely Nahaioth Cedar Abdeel Edumas Massam Memas Masmes Chodam Theman Jetur The Region of Nabathaea Naphes Calmas all which inhabit the Lands which are between Euphrates and the Red Sea the name of which Countrey is Nabathaea These are they that began and made famous the Nation of the Arabians as well in respect of their prowess as of the dignity of Abraham CHAP. XIII Of Isaac Abraham's Legitimate Son M AS touching Isaac Abraham loved him with an entire and Fatherly affection as his only begotten Son born in his old age by the goodness of God Gen. 22. 1 2. The Child also addicting himself unto all vertue The year of the World 2074 before Christs Nativity 1890. careful to honor his Father and Mother and studious of the service of God invited both his parents the rather to affect and love him So that Abraham was very desirous to forsake this present life provided that he might leave behind him all the goods which he had unto his Son which through the mercy of God he happily effected Whereupon under tryal and conformity of his faith God appeared
unto him and reckoned up all the benefits which he had bestowed on him how he had granted him victory over his enemies and how he had establisht and blest him N with present felicity by his favour for which cause he required him to sacrifice and make on oblation unto him of his Son Isaac 1 2. commanding him to conduct him to the Mountain of Morea and there to sacrifice him In doing whereof he should manifest the desire he had to serve him in preferring that which was agreeable to God before the life of his Son Abraham supposing that it was no ways lawful to disobey God but that he ought to submit himself to his will 3. Abraham's obedience as to him by whose providence all things had their being said nothing to his Wife concerning that which God had commanded him neither how he had determined the death of his Son neither did he make it known to any of his houshold-servants lest they might have diverted him from his resolution He therefore took his Son Isaac with two Servants loading an Asse with O such things as were requisite for sacrifice and travelled towards the Mountain his Servants attending him for two dayes and on the third day as soon as he perceived the Mountain A he left the rest of those that accompanied him in the Plain and attended only by his Son The year of the World 2074. before Christs Nativity 1890. he ascended up the Mountain upon which afterwards King David appointed that the Temple should be builded They carried with them also the rest of those things which were requisite for sacrifice save only the Beast that was to be offered About this time Isaac was five and twenty years old and did himself prepare the Altar and enquired of his Father what he should offer v. 7 8. considering that as yet they had no sheep for sacrifice Isaac was 25. years old when he should have been sacrificed Abraham answered him that God would furnish them being of power sufficient to give Men that in abundance whereof they have need and to deprive them of that they have and whereof they held themselves possessed if he were well pleased with their sacrifice Now as soon as the Altar was made ready and the Wood prepared and B laid upon the same 9. Abrahams oration at such time as his Son should have been sacrificed and all things in readiness he addressed his speech unto his Son in this manner My Son I beg'd thee of God with very earnest Prayers and ever since thou wert born into the world I have intermitted no care and diligence in thine education neither have I thought that any thing could make me more happy than at departing out of this World to see thee at mans estate and to leave thee the Heir and Lord of all my substance But since it hath pleased God that I should be thy Father and that the same God likewise now thinketh good that I should destroy thee generously submit and be contented to be sacrificed to him For in so doing I fulfil the Commandments of God who requireth at our hands that we do him this honour for the favours which he hath bestowed upon us in assisting us both in War and Peace Since therefore being born thou art to die I deem it reasonable that in regard it seemeth good unto C God that thou depart out of this life not by sickness nor by War nor by any other inconvenience that naturally hapneth unto Men but by being offer'd in sacrifice to him by thine owne Father that thou render thy Soul unto him in the midst of Prayers and the celebration of this sacrifice to the end he may receive and seat thee near himself Thou shalt then be the comfort of mine old age which is the cause for which I have nourished thee if thou procure for me assistance of God instead of that which I ought to receive from thee Isaac's answer Here Isaac with a noble heart like the gracious Son of so godly a Father heard all which his Father said with great contentment and answered that he would rather never have been born then once disobey the Ordinance of God and of his Father or shew himself averse to submit his will to both their pleasures considering that if his Father onely should command the same he D should do very ill if he disobeyed him which said he leapt upon the Altar and offered himself to the slaughter Which had surely hapned at that instant if God had not hindered it 10 11. for with a loud voyce he called Abraham by his name commanding him not to kill his Son and telling him that he had not given him that commandment because he took pleasure in humane blood neither for that by such impiety he would deprive him of that Son of whom it was his pleasure to make him the Father but that by this act he intended to prove his affection to see whether being commanded such a thing he would be obedient and for that he had made tryal of his faith and readiness and his disinteressed piety he did not repent him of that good he had done unto him that he would never forget to have care of him and his race whensoever he should pray unto E him 12 13. and that when the course of his years were happily ended he should leave a great dominion to those of his children which should be good and vertuous He told him moreover that he would multiply his race in divers Nations and that he would bestow great benefits upon them and that the memory of the chief of his offspring should be envyed of all Men for their greatness When God had spoken after this manner 16 17. it pleased him on the sudden no Man knoweth how to cause a Ram to appear thereabouts for a sacrifice God presenteth a Ram to Abraham to sacrifice in stead of Isaac And thus being delivered from all evils and inconveniences beyond their expectations after they had heard so many promises of so many blessings they embraced one another and celebrated the sacrifice which done they returned towards Sara in safety and pass'd the remainder of their lives in happiness F The year of the World 2087. before Christs Nativity 1878. God giving them his blessing in whatsoever they undertook CHAP. XIV The death of Sara Abraham's Wife Gen. 23. per totum NOt long after Sara died after she lived one hundred twenty and seven years and was Buried in Hebron where the Canaanites freely offered a place for Burial Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2â— yet Abraham chose rather to buy a place to bury in The age of Sara 127. of one Ephrem a Citizen of Hebron for four hundred sicles and there the Monuments both of himself and his posterity are built CHAP. XV. G How the Nation of the Troglodytes descended from Chetura the Wife of Abraham AFter this Abraham
his Countrey yet hath he refused all of them desiring rather to render this respect to those of his kindred and Nation set not light therefore by his good affection and desire For besides all other blessings and good fortunes which have happily befallen me in this my journey I have by Gods especial providence found out both the Maid and your house For at such time as I drew near the City and beheld many Virgins going to fetch Water I besought God that I might light upon this Maiden Hedio Ruffinus chap 28. and he vouchsafed me my desire ratifie therefore on your part this Marriage favoured by Gods providence and honour Abraham in granting your consent to this your Daughters Marriage Gen. 24. which I am sent to request at your hands with most entire affection Now they in that they both allowed a thing so advantageous C and perceived also that it was conformable to the will of God sent their Sister unto him under the conditions demanded 58 59 60. and Isaac married her being already in possession of all his Fathers goods by reason that the other Sons of Abraham were already departed to establish their Colonies in other Provinces CHAP. XVI Of Abraham's death Gen. 24. 7 8. A Few days after Isaac's Marriage Abraham deceased a Man full of vertue to his last end Abraham died after he had lived 175. years and honoured by God according to that entire love he hath to vertue D with great affection All the dayes of his life amounted to one hundred seventy and five years and he was buried in Hebron near his Wife Sara by his Sons Isaac and Ishmael CHAP. XVII Of Isaac's Sons Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. Esau and Jacob and of their Nativity and Education Gen. 25. AFter the death of Abraham Gen. 25. 21 22 23 24. Rebecca Isaac's Wife became big with Child in an extraordinary manner and the time of her reckoning being near at hand Isaac was sore troubled and sought counsel at Gods hands who answered him that Rebecca should bring forth Twins and that of those two Sons two Nations should be E derived both which should be called by their names and that he who seemed to be the least of them should grow to be the greatest not long after according as God had foretold him she was brought to Bed of two Twins verse 24 25. the eldest of which was very Hairy all over his body The year of the World 2124. before Christs Nativity 1840. and as he came out of his Mothers Womb his younger Brother held him by the Heel the Father loved the elder who was called Esau and Seir by reason of his Hair which the Hebrews call Seir in their language but the younger who was called Jacob was dearly loved by his Mother Now it hapned that a great Famine reigned in the Land of Canaan Isaac resolved to retire himself to Egypt Isaac came unto Gerar. Gen. 26. 1 2. by reason of the plenty of that Countrey but he went and dwelt at Gerar according as God had commanded In which place King Abimelech received F and entertained him according to the Law of Hospitality and the League of Friendship which was betwixt Abraham his Father and him At first therefore he shewed him great signs of Friendship v. 6. but afterwards the envy he had conceived hindred him from persisting in the same Abimelech expelleth Isaac being moved thereunto by envy for perceiving that God was favourable unto Isaac and had an especial care over him he drave him out of his Countrey He retired not far from Gerar to a place called Pharan that is to say The Valley and as he there dig'd to find out Springs of Water Fauces Abimelech's Shepherds came and set upon him 13 14 15 16. and hindered him in such sort as he could not finish his purpose and for that he purposely retired from them they supposed they had gotten the Victory Shortly after when he began to dig in another place other Shepherds of Abimelech outraged G him again as at the first for which cause he left this Fountain imperfect also expecting a more convenient opportunity which was afterwards offered him by reason that the King gave him leave to dig whereupon he opened a Fountain and called it Rooboth which signifieth large As for the other two he called the first of them Escon H which is to say strife 19 20 21. and the other Sienna which signifieth Hostility Thus increased he daily more and more both in power and riches 26 27 28 29. But Abimelech supposing that his affluence would be many ways hurtful unto him and remembring that he had not faithfully entertained Friendship with him but in some sort given occasion of suspition by means of some heard measure fearing least hereafter the injuries fresh in memory should more distract him than their old and ancient plighted Friendship Abimelech reneweth friendship with Isaac 30 31 32 33. and misdoubting his revenge he repaired unto him and contracted a new League of amity with him having with him one of his chiefest Captains as an Arbiter between them by whose means he obtained whatsoever he required so courteous was Isaac and so ready in memory of his Fathers old covenant to forgive new injuries So Abimelech I having obtained his purpose returned to his house Esau one of the two Sons of Isaac having attained the age of forty years took two Wives Ada the Daughtr of Edom Esaâ— his Wives 34 35. and Alibama the Daughter of Esebion two Princes of the Canaanites and that of his own authority without his Fathers advice or privity who would not have consented had the matter been remitted unto him because he held it inconvenient to mix and joyn him or his in affinity with any dwellers or inhabitants of the Countrey This notwithstanding he would not displease his Son by commanding him to put away his Wives but determined with himself to conceal and keep the matter silent When Isaac was grown old and wholly deprived of his sight Gen. 27. 3 4 5. he called Esau his Son and told him that though through his blindness he could not see the day-light Isaac sendeth Esau on Hunting nor K serve God so exactly as he had wont to do yet he would give him his blessing before he dyed and therefore he willed him to go a Hunting and to make ready what he should catch for him that he might eat The year of the World 2186. before Christs Nativity 1778. and that after his repast he would pray to God that it would please him to be assistant unto him all his life-time and be a comforter and aid unto him Since he could not better employ the little time that he had to live than in imploring the favor of God for him 6 7 8 ad 30. Hereupon Esau went a Hunting but Rebecca in the meane
answered E that they knew him well and that he was a Man of that reputation that his name could not be concealed that his Daughter was accustomed to feed her flock with them and that they wondered that she was not yet arrived of whom said they thou mayest perfectly understand all that thou desirest to know Whilest thus they pass'd the time in talk the Maiden drew near accompanied with her shepherds whom one of the company informed that Jacob was inquisitive after her Father who rejoycing after the manner of young Maidens asked him what he was and whence he came and what affair had brought him thither wishing she had the means to supply whatsoever his necessities required v. 9 ad 12. Jacob being mov'd not so much by the courtesie and Kindred as by her beauty Jacob's talk with Rachel Rachels excellent Beauty which was very extraordinary said unto her If thou art the Daughter of Laban F there is a greater and more ancient conjunction betwixt us than either thine or my birth for Abraham Aran and Nachor were Thares Sons Bathuel thy Grand father was Nachors Son Isaac my Father was the Son of Abraham and Sara the Daughter of Aran. There is yet a nearer and dearer relation between us for Rebecca my Mother is Sister unto Laban thy Father born of one Father and Mother so that we are Cousins and therefore am I come at this present to salute you and renew that ancient love which our alliance requireth at our hands But she remembring all those things which her Father was wont to report and discourse of Rebecca and knowing that her Parents were desirous to hear some news from her wept for joy and embracing the young Man said unto him Thou bringest a most desired and great pleasure to my Father and all his G family who never forgets thy Mother but oftentimes makes mention of her and would esteem it a great felicity to hear tidings from her Then she desired him to follow her to her Father lest any longer he might be deprived of so desired a pleasure This said she brought him to Laban where being acknowledged by his Uncle he both H by that means lived securely amongst his Friends v. 12. ad 23. Jacob 's talk with Laban and brought him great contentment by his unexpected access unto them Some dayes after Laban told him that he took so much contentment in his presence The year of the World 103. before Christs Nativity 1771 that he could not express it in words and desired him to manifest the cause that had induced him to leave his Father and Mother in their old age when they had most need of him and he promised him all assistance and favour in whatsoever case he had to make use of him Whereupon Jacob discoursed unto him the whole matter that Isaac had two Sons Esau and himself that his Brother because by his Mothers contrivance he had defrauded him of his Fathers Blessing sought to kill him as the ravisher of that principality from him that was destinated unto him by God and the intercepter of his Fathers other intentions that this with his mothers command I was the cause why he came thither as to his nearest relation by the Mothers side adding that next after God he hoped to find his greatest assistance and help in him his Uncle Whereupon Laban promising to him whatsoever humanity he could desire as well in respect of their common ancestors as for the love he bare unto his Mother towards whom although she were absent he would express his good affection in shewing himself well affected towards him that was there present he told him then that he would give him the charge of his flock and make him Master over all his shepherds and that when he thought good to return back again to his Friends he should depart with such rewards and honours as might well beseem a Friend so nearly allyed unto him v. 23 ad 26. Jacob for recomâ—ence requireth Rachel for his Wife Which when Jacob understood he answered That he would willingly K endure any sort of labour in Labans service and that his devoir towards him would be a delight to himself but that in lieu of his labours he required Rachel to Wife who deserved his esteem for her vertue and particularly for her goodness wherewith she had brought him thither declaring that the love which he bare unto her was the cause why he used those speeches The year of the World 2103. before the Nativity of Christ 1771. Laban being greatly delighted and contented with this his discourse granted him his consent to the Marriage telling him that he could not have wisht for a better Son-in-Law but with condition that he should sojourn a while with him for that he was no ways minded to send his Daughter among the Canaanites and that it repented him that by reason of Marriage his Sister had been carried into so far a Countrey Jacob accepted the condition and covenanted to abide L with him for seven years saying that he was glad to have found an occasion of making appear to him by his care and good service that he was not unworthy of his alliance When the time which was covenanted between them was expired 22. Jacob instead of Rachel lyeth with Leah and Jacob expected the contented possession of his love as was promised him Laban prepared a nuptial feast and when night drew on and Jacob least suspected he brought his Daughter Leah less fair in face 23. and elder in years and lay'd her in his Bed Jacob deceived by the darkness and for that he had drunk liberally lay with her but the day after discovering the deceit he complained hereof to Laban who asked him pardon alledging that he had not brought in Leah with intent to deceive him 27 ad 35 but that the custom of the Countrey which forbids to Marry the younger before the elder compelled him thereunto yet that the M same should no ways hinder but that he should Marry Rachel too on condition to serve him yet seven years more Herewith Jacob was pacified and suffered himself to be perswaded out of the love which he bear to Rachel and when the other seven years were expired he Married Rachel Now these Sisters had two Maid Servants which their Father had given them Lea's Maid was called Zelpha and Rachel's Bala they were no Slaves but only Subjects Leah liv'd in great grief to see that Jacob bare greater affection to her Sister than to her self bethinking her oftentimes that if she could have Children she should be better esteemed and loved by her husband for which cause she continually besought Almighty God that it would please him to give her issue whereupon it happened that God gave her a Son and Jacobs affection was turned towards N her for which cause she called him Ruben that is to say the Son of Vision because she had
the Cattel that were born white and sometime that which was brought forth black but when that which Jacob had named and H chosen did increase 34 Labans covenant with Jacob then did not Laban perform his promise unto him but turned him over to the next years increase by reason he had alwayes a respect of the greater flock and promised that which he hoped would not come to pass and which if it fell contrary Gen. 31. v. 32. ad 34. he was ready to infringe And as touching the gods he told him he might make search for them This condition did Laban accept but Rachel understanding the same thrust the gods into a Sack and made them to be carried on a Camels back and she sate upon them saying that she was indisposed by reason that at that time she had her natural purgations And for this cause Laban desisted from searching any further supposing his Daughter being so affected would not conceal or set her self so near things that were so sacred and I he made a covenant with Jacob that neither of them should call to remembrance the unkindnesses that had past betwixt them but that he should cherish his Daughters all which they bound with an oath This covenant was made upon a certain mountain where they reared a Pillar in the form of an Altar whence it came to pass that this Pillar was called Galaad 45. 46 47. that is to say the hill of witness from whence the Countrey of Galaad bears that name even until this day and after that the alliance was made and that they had banqueted together The year of the World 2206. before Christs Nativity 1758. Laban returned back again into his own Countrey But as Jacob travelled towards the Countrey of Canaan he had several visions which presaged unto him good hope of happiness to come and he called the place where this thing hapned The field of God And being desirous to know how his Brother Esau was K affected towards him Gen. 22. 1 2. he sent messengers before him to bring him the exact truth thereof by reason he stood in fear lest the memory of his old discontent should be renewed Jacob sendeth messengers to his Brother Esau charging his messengers to signifie unto Esau that Jacob deeming it a thing inconvenient to live with his Brother who was displeased with him had of his own free will forsaken the Countrey 3 4 5 and that at this present he was upon his return conceiving that length of time might have extinguisht his displeasure He therefore led with him his Wives and children with all those riches which God had given him offering himself unto Esau with all which he had of most esteem by reason that he thought it the greatest benefit that might happen to him to impart unto his Brother a part of those commodities which he had received at Gods hands 6 7. All which they signified unto Esau who rejoyced very L much thereat and went forth to meet his Brother accompanied with four hundred armed Men. But Jacob hearing that he marched forward to meet him attended by so many Men at Arms was very much afraid yet fixing his confidence in God he provided for the time lest any detriment should happen unto him studying every way to defend both him and his from invasion To which end dividing his Troops he caused some to march before and the rest to follow closely after so that if any did assault the first they might retire themselves to the Troop that followed After this manner having ordered all things about him 13. He sent certain Servants with presents to his Brother namely with Beasts of charge and a great number of divers kinds of four-footed Beasts which for their rareness might give more content and M admiration to those to whom they were presented 17 18. All these marched one after another to the intent Jacob reconcileth his Brother with rewards that being beheld thus in ranks they might seem to be a greater number than they were to the end that if as yet there remained any discontent in the heart of Esau these presents might serve to mitigate the same He commanded them also that marched foremost Jacob wrestleth with an Angel and is called Israel that they should use courteous salutation towards Esau Having thus all the day disposed his Troops as soon as the night was come he caused all his companies to march who passed the River of Jaboch but Jacob who was left hindmost 24. had a vision in which he wrestled with an Angel and he became victor Now the Angel spake unto him exhorting him to rejoyce at that which had hapned unto him assuring him that he had not atchieved an easie matter but that he had N surmounted an Angel of God 28. which was a sign of great good which would befall him and that his posterity should be invincible and that no man whatsoever should overcome him commanding him to call his name Israel that is to say according to the Hebrews a resister of an Angel These things were foretold unto Jacob upon his request who perceiving also that he was an Angel of God prayed him to inform him of that which should happen unto him which the vision did and afterwards vanished Jacob took great pleasure thereat and called the place Phanuel that is to say the face of God 30. and for that in wrestling he had hurt a part of his thigh he afterwards abstained from eating of the same and by reason thereof our Nation do never eat that part O Now when he had intelligence that his Brother approched he commanded his Wives to march forward severally with their hand-Maids to the end that they might A from afar behold the Fight in case his Brother should assail them As for himself when he perceiv'd his Brother drew near him in the Spirit of peace Gen. 33. 1 2â— c. without intent of circumvention Jacob saluteth his Brother Esau he cast himself at his feet and Esau saluted him and enquired of him touching the companies of Women and Children and after he understood all things he offer'd to lead them to his Father 13. Jacob cometh to Scenas 17. But Jacob excused himself by reason of the weariness of his Cattel and Esau retired to Seir where he made his abode and had imposed that name on that Countrey by reason of his thick hair Jacob also retired himself to a place which at this day is called the Tents and from thence into Sichem a City of the Canaanites Now at such time as the Sichemites celebrated their Feast The History of Dina Jacob's daughter Dina which was Jacob's only B Daughter went into the City to see the bravery of the Women of that Countrey But Sichem the Son of King Emmor was so taken with her beauty that he defloured her and being passionately in love Gen.
and said I cannot but commend the piety and love which you bear unto your Brother which I find to be greater than I did expect gathering my conjectures from those things which in times past have hapned unto me For to this end have I done all this that I might make trial of your brotherly affection whereof since you have given me a signal proof I will not ascribe that which you have done unto me to your natures but rather wholly to the Will of God who hath at this present furnished you with all things which are profitable for you and I hope will hereafter give you greater things by his special grace Seeing therefore I understand my Fathers rather desired than hoped K health and find you to be such as I desired you should be towards your Brother I freely forget those injuries which in times past were done unto me rather making choice to give you thanks as the Ministers of God's Providence that against this time provided for our common good than remembring your forepast malice I therefore pray you that forgetting those things which are past The year of the World 2231 before Christ's Nativity 1726. you will be of good courage and rejoyce that it hath pleased God to produce a good event of an ill intent Let not the evil sentence which in times past you pronounced against me any ways trouble you since you perceive it wanted effect but rejoyce at these Works of God and go and tell your Father that which you have seen lest being consumed with immoderate care of you I my self be deprived of the chiefest fruit of my felicity before he come to my presence and be made partaker of the same Wherefore depart you and bringing with L you him your Wives and Children and all your Kindred come back unto me for it were inconvenient my dear Brethren that you should not be partakers of my felicity especially since this Famine is as yet to continue for the term of five years This said Joseph embraced his Brethren but they were wholly confounded with tears and sorrow and the greater was their repentance Ver. 16. in that they had sinned against so kind a Brother After all this there follow'd a Banquet The King rejoyceth to know that Joseph's brothers were arrived Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. al. 4. v. 26 27 28. And the King understanding that Joseph 's Brethren were arrived he as if some good fortune had befaln him very heartily rejoyced and gave them Chariots laden with Corn and Gold and Silver with other Presents to present their Father with who enriched with divers gifts some from their Brother to his Father and others to themselves but especially to Benjamin returned home into their Countrey M Now when Jacob understood by his Sons in what estate his Son Joseph was that he had not only escaped death which he had so long time bewailed but also that he lived in high prosperity Jacob rejoyceth to hear the promotions and honors of Joseph and ministred to the King of Egypt and had in a manner the whole Government of the Kingdom in his hands he easily believed all things that were told him and acknowledged the great Works of God and his Goodness shewed unto him although for a time it seemed to be intermitted And a little time after he prepar'd himself to go and visit his Son Joseph CHAP. IV. How Jacob with all his Family went into Egypt N WHen Jacob arrived near the Fountain of Covenant he offered in that place a Sacrifice unto God and fearing lest his Children should inhabit Egypt by reason of the fertility of the place The year of the World 2239 before Christ's Nativity 1725. and that his posterity by not returning back into the Land of Canaan should lose the possession of that which God had promised them and furthermore doubting lest that his Journey into Egypt being by him enterprized without consulting the Will of God should be prejudicial to his Children suspecting likewise lest he should die before he came to Joseph's presence he was wonderfully perplexed in mind Whil'st thus he ruminated and cast these things in his mind he was surprized with a heavy sleep during which time God appeared unto him and called him O twice by his name Jacob asking who it was that called him God answer'd Dost thou not know O Jacob that God who hath both protected thee and thy Ancestors and succoured you A in all your necessities The year of the World 2293. before Christ's Nativity 1725. who contrary to thy father's purpose made thee lord of his family and when as by thy self thou didst travel into Mesopotamia did not I bring it to pass that being matched in wedlock very happily thou returnedst into thy Countrey back again being blessed with many children and stored with much riches Was it not I also that have kept thy family in safety and when it seemed thou hadst lost Joseph I raised him to that high step of dignity wherein now he liveth Gen. 46. 1 ad 5. and made him the next in dignity to the King of Egypt And now also I am come unto thee God appeareth to Jacob about the Fountain of Covenant to this end that I may guide thee in thy journey and that I may foretel thee that thou shalt depart this life in the arms of Joseph and that thy posterity shall be mighty and famous for many Ages and shall possess that Land the Empire whereof I have promised them Encourag'd and made confident by this dream he more willingly hastned B towards Egypt with his sons and his family whose number amounted to Threescore and ten Ver. 6 7 ad 26. Their names in that they are somewhat hard I should not mention were it not to satisfie some Jacob with his Sons and Nephews depart into Egypt who contend that we are Egyptians and not Mesopotamians The sons of Jacob therefore are twelve in number of whom Joseph came thither long before them The rest are these with their sons Reuben had four sons Enoch Phales Essalon and Charmis Jacob's Progeny Simeon had six Jumilas Jamin Puthod Jachen Zoar and Zaar Levi also had three Gelsem Chaath and Marari Juda had likewise three Sala Phares and Zara with two sons of Phares Esron and Amyr Issachar had four Thulas Phrusas Job and Samaron Zabulon had three Sarad Elon and Janel These were the children which Jacob had by Leah who also led with her Dinah her daughter the number of whom C amounted to Thirty three But Rachel had two sons of which the elder was called Joseph who had likewise two Manasses and Ephraim Benjamin had ten Bolossus Baccaris Asabel Gela Naman Ises Aros Nomphthis Optatis and Sarod These fourteen added to those abovenamed make up the number of Forty seven And this was the legitimate issue of Jacob. But by Bala Rachel's handmaid he had Dan and Nepthalim this latter
had four sons Elein Gunnes Sares and Hellim Dan had onely one son called Vsis Now if these be added to the abovenamed they make up the number of Fifty four But Gad and Asser were born by Zelpha Leah's handmaid Gad was attended by seven sons Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter Ver. 30. and six sons Jacob almost deceased for joy whose names were Jomnes Essus Juba Baris Abars Melmiel These D fifteen being added to the foresaid Fifty four make up the number Seventy together with Jacob. Gen. 47. 2. But Joseph understanding that his father was at hand for Juda posted before to give him notice thereof went out to meet him Joseph with his five Brethren and did so near a Town called Heros Jacob was fill'd with such extreme and unexpected joy that he had almost expired and that of Joseph was little less He desir'd his father to march onwards by easie journies and taking with him his five brethren hasted unto the King signifying unto him that his father with all his family were arrived The King no sooner understood it but he joyfully asked Joseph in what employments he took delight who answer'd him that his exercise was in keeping of Cattel and that he had no other Trade This answer he made to the intent they might not be divided one from another but that living E all together they might take care of their father another reason was lest emulation should happen betwixt them and the Egyptians if so be they should be conversant in the same profession Ver. 3 ad 10. whereas this people had little experience in the keeping of Cattel Jacob talketh with Pharaoh and is appointed to inhabit Heliopolis Now when Jacob was brought into the King's presence and had done him reverence and pray'd God for the prosperity both of him and his Realm Pharaoh ask'd him how old he was and he answer'd that he was an hundred and thirty years old at which when the King admir'd he added that his Ancestors had lived far longer Then Pharaoh appointed him and his sons to dwell in Heliopolis where also the King's shepherds had their pastures But the Famine increased in Egypt and the calamity was without remedy The famine in Egypt by reason that Nilus did not overflow the earth after its usual manner and on F the other side God rained not upon the earth Moreover in that the sterility was foreseen it was more grievous especially to the Commonalty who had laid up nothing neither did Joseph give them Corn without ready money Ver. 16 17 20. which when they began to want A great profit redounded to the King by this famine they exchang'd their Cattel and Slaves for Corn and they that had Lands sold a portion thereof unto the King for their provision And when by this means all these possessions came into the King's hands they went to inhabit here and there as they could to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their Land the Priests onely were excepted to whom the Lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessity reduced both the minds and bodies of the whole Nation into servitude after such a manner that they esteemed no labour or means unseemly that G might serve them towards their sustenance But when the Famine ceas'd and the earth water'd by the overflow of the River began to recover her former fertility Joseph visiting every City of the Kingdom and assembling the multitude in every one of them restored them the possession of those Lands which they had sold to the King The year of the World 2311. before Christ's Nativity 1653. and exhorted H them to manure the same in no worse manner than they would do their own on condition to pay the fifth part unto the King which was due unto him by his Prerogative and Kingly right The People rejoycing at this unexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their Tillage Joseph commanded them to pay the fifth part of their profits to the King and by this means not only Joseph's authority but also the Peoples hearts were not a little tyed unto the King and the inheritance of the fifth part of the profits remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their Posterity But Jacob after he had lived 17 years in Egypt ended his life in the arms of his Sons having first prayed God to give them prosperity and abundance and prophesied that every one of their posterities should attain to the possession of a part of the Land of Canaan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. as in process of time it came to pass Besides praising his Son Joseph for that forgetting I the injuries done unto him he had bestowed divers benefits on his Brethren yea and such as well beseemed his Benefactors he commanded his Sons that they should admit Joseph's Sons Gen. 49. 33. Ephraim and Manasses Jacob dyed when he was 147 years old into their number at such time as they should divide the Land of Canaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he prayed them to bury him in Hebron He liv'd 150 years wanting three being second to none of his Ancestors in piety Gen. 50. 13. and obtain'd the same blessing Jacob is buried in Hebron in that he was a man adorned with equal virtues Joseph by the King's permission transported his Fathers body to Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his Brothers fearing to return with him into Egypt in that they suspected lest their Father being dead he should be revenged on them in that they had not any Friend left alive under whose favor they might hope for pardon he K commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should fear no evil and having brought them back again with him he gave them great possessions neither did he ever cease to entertain them with brotherly kindness Joseph dyeth when he was 110 years old But he likewise dyed when he had lived 110 years a man endowed with admirable virtue prudent in all Affairs and moderate in his Government by which means it came to pass that neither his Foreign Birth nor his Calamities whereof we have spoken did any ways hinder him but that he was exalted and continued in high dignity Gen. 50. 22 ad 26. The rest of his Brothers also having spent their lives in happiness dyed in Egypt whose bodies their Sons and Nephews transported and buried in Hebron Joseph's Bones translated into Canaan but Joseph's bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrews into Canaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Canaan for hereunto had he L bound them by an Oath But being oblig'd to declare this and other actions of this Nation I will first of all shew the cause why they departed out of Egypt CHAP. V. Of the affliction which the
sequestred them for the space of seven days after which it was lawful for them to converse with Men. The like decreed he of those that had assisted at the burial of a dead Man whom he permitted not to converse with the other till seven days were expired It was also decreed by Law that he that had a flux of seed beyond seven days should sacrifice two Wethers one of which should be sacrific'd and the other given to the Priests Also that he that hath unnatural pollution should wash himself with cold water Goâ—orrhaâ— The like must Husbands do after they have had use of their Wives Of Lepers He likewise order'd that the Leprous should be separated for ever not permitting them to frequent any Mans company but esteeming them as little differing from the dead And if any one by his prayers made unto God was delivered D from this disease and his skin reduced to its native colour such an one presented himself before God with divers oblations and sacrifices Against them that object against Moses and his Followers that they fled out of Egypt for Leprosie of which we will speak hereafter Whence it appears how ridiculous a fable it is that Moses fled out of Egypt because he was a Leper and that all the Hebrews whom he conducted with him and brought into the Land of Canaan was troubled with that disease For if that were true Moses would not have made these ordinances to his own shame and if any other had proposed them he would have opposed himself against them especially since among divers other Nations there are Lepers who are held in great honour and who are so far from disdainand contempt that they have been made Generals of Armies and elected for Governors of Common-wealths having liberty to enter the Temples and to be present at the sacrifices E What therefore hindred Moses if he had been infected with this malady to make such Laws and ordain such Statutes among those People who honoured and obeyed him whereby such as were therewith infected might be preferred By which it is manifest that those things that are objected against him are rather of malice than probability But Moses being clean from such sickness and conversing amongst his Countrey-men which were untainted made these ordinances for them that were sick having regard to the honour of God But of these things let each Man censure as best liketh him He forbad women to enter into the Temple soon after their deliverance Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. or to assist at the sacrifice until forty days were expired if they had been brought a-bed of a Son The Laws of Women that are brought a-bed but if it were a Daughter he appointed that the number of the dayes should be F doubled and that when they should enter they should present their offerings to God whereof one part was consecrated and the other belonged to the Priests And if any one suspected that his Wife had committed adultery Numb 5. v. 15. ad finem he brought an Assar of Barly Meal and cast an handful thereof upon the Altar The Laws of adultery and jealousie and the rest was reserved for the maintenance of the Priests and then the Priest placing the Woman in the porch which is right over against the Tabernacle and taking the cover from her head writeth the name of God upon a Parchment and maketh her swear that she hath not violated her faith to her Husband and wish if she had transgressed the bounds of chastity that her right thigh might be put out of joynt her belly burst and death follow thereupon but if her Husband had been inconsiderately drawn into that suspition through excess of love then it pleased G God at the end of ten months to give her a Son And after such an oath ministred unto her the Priest dippeth in water the Parchment on which the name of God was written and then taking some of the earth of the Temple according as he findeth it and having mingled the same giveth it to the Woman to drink and if she had been H unjustly accused she became with child and brought forth happily but if she had falsified her faith to her husband and forsworn her self before God then dyed she a shameful death in the manner above mentioned You see what Laws Moses provided for the sacrifices and purifications Of adultery and incest He furthermore made these Laws which ensue He generally forebad Adultery judging it to be a great felicity if Men demeaned themselves honestly in Marriage and that both in politick Estates and private Families Exod. 22. it was a thing most profitable Deut. 17. that children should be born in Lawful Matrimony Levit. 18. 20 21 29. He condemn'd also as a horrid crime for a Man to have the use of his Mother or his Fathers Wife his Aunt or his Sister or his Sons Wife and detesteth it as a most I heinous and hideous offence He prohibited also the use of a Woman when she hath her monthly sickness also the lying with Beasts or boys by reason that such affections are abominable and against the transgressors of these Laws he established Capital punishments He willed also that the Priests should be more chaste than the rest for he not onely forbad them that which he prohibited others but moreover he enjoyned them not to marry Women that had been cast off or Slaves or Prisoners or Victualers and Taverners forsaken by their Husbands for any occasion whatsoever And touching the High-Priest Lev. 21. 7 8 9 he permitted him not to match with a Widow although it were Lawful for the other Priests and granted him onely liberty to take a Virgin to his Wife What Wife the High-Priest might marry with and to keep her The said High-Priest is also forbidden to approach a dead Man K although the other Priests are not forbidden to approach their Brothers Fathers and Mothers and children deceased Requiring that they should be sincere and true in all their words and actions He likewise ordained that the Priest which had any bodily defect should be maintained by the other Priests but in the mean time that he should not approach the Altar nor enter into the Temple willing that not onely they should be pure in that which concerned the divine service but also that they should study and endeavour to be so in all the actions of their life to the end that no Man might reproach them For which cause when they wore the habit of Priests besides their general obligation to be always pure and sober they were forbidden to drink Wine and they were to offer up entire L sacrifices and no ways maimed These Statutes did Moses make in the Desart and caus'd to be observ'd during his life Levit. 25. v. 2. ad 8. Afterwards he made others also which both the People might practise in that place The
be of the Race of the Priests she shall be burnt alive If any man have two Wives Deut. 21. 15 16 17. the one of which he holdeth in greater honour and amity The first begotten should hold his right either for Love or by reason of her Beauty than the other if the Son of her that is more loved demand to have the prerogative of the elder which is a double portion of his Fathers patrimony for so much import our Ordinances and challenge the same by reason that his Father more dearly loveth his Mother than the other let it not be granted him For it is against justice that the eldest should be deprived O of that which appertaineth unto him by birthright because his Mothers condition is inferior to that of the other on account of his Fathers affection A If a man shall have corrupted a Maiden betrothed to another man and she hath consented The year of the World 2493 before Christ's Nativity 1471. they shall both be punisht with death for they are both equally guilty of sin the man because he hath persuaded the Maiden to prefer her lust before an honest marriage and the maid for suffering herself to be overcome and abandoning her body to leudness either for lust or lucre sake But if meeting her he alone enforce her and she have none near to succour her let him die alone He that shall deflowre the Virgin that is unmarried The punishment of adultery or rather ravishing shall take her to Wife but if he condescend not to the Father to take her in wedlock he shall pay fifty Sicles for amends of the injury Deut. 22. 23 24. If any man pretend to separate himself from his Wife for certain causes v. 25. such as ordinarily B happen amongst married couples The deflowring of a virgin let him confirm it in writing That he will never more entertain her again and then she may marry again unto another and refuse the former Husband and if it happen that she be ill us'd by the second or that he being dead the first would take her again in marriage it is not lawful for the Wife to return to him Let the Brother of him that is deceased without issue Deut. 25. 5 ad 9. take to Wife her whom his deceased Brother had married The Wife of the dead Brother married and let the Son born by this second wedlock bear his name and he brought up as the successor of his inheritance For it is advantageous to the commonwealth that Families should not come to ruine and that the goods remain to those of the same kindred And it will be a comfort to the Widow to be joyned C in marriage with one so near akin to her first Husband But if the Brother will not take her to Wife she shall repair to the Senate and make this protestation that the Brother of her deceased Husband will not marry her although she had desired to remain in that line and bring forth children to it and that by him only the memory of her deceased husband is dishonoured And when the Senate shall have examined the cause why he declineth this marriage his excuse shall be allowed of how great or slight soever it be and then shall the Widow unloose his shooe and spit in his face and tell him that he hath deservedly suffered these things in that he hath injured the memory of his dead Brother And thus shall he depart out of the Court being defamed for his whole life-time and the Woman may marry whomsoever she D please If any man take a Virgin prisoner Marriage with a Bond-woman or such an one as hath been already married and be desirous to take her to his Wife it is not lawful for him to touch or approach her till she is shaven Deut. 21. 11 12 13. and having put on her mourning apparel hath bewailed her Parents or Friends slain in Battel but after she hath in this sort asswaged her sorrow she may afterwards addict herself to mirth and marriage For it is a matter both honest and just The lamentatation and mourning of thirty dayes that he that entertaineth her to have issue by her should condescend unto her will in all wherein he may gratifie her and that he should not only addict himself to the pursuit of his pleasure but when the thirty dayes of mourning shall be expired for that time is sufficient for the Wife to bewail her Friends then E may she hearken after marriage And if after he hath had his pleasure with her it happen that he mislike her and will not accept her for his Wife he can no more make her his slave but she may go whithersoever she pleaseth for that she beareth with her her liberty All those Children that shall make no reckoning of their Fathers and Mothers Deut. 21. 18 ad 21. nor shew them that honour which belongeth to them but contemn them and behave themselves insolently towards them Disobedience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Parents whom Nature hath made their judges shall begin by remonstrating to them that they were matched together in Matrimony not for their pleasures sake or that by uniting their possessions they might become the richer but to the end they might beget Children who might nourish them in their F age and minister unto them in their necessities that they had received them at God's hands with great thanksgiving and infinite joy and brought them up with care and diligence sparing nothing that conduc'd to their sustenance or instruction But since some pardon is to be allow'd to the follies of youth let it suffice my Son that hitherto you have forgotten your duty recollect your self and grow wise remembring that God is grievously offended against those who disobey or disdain their Parents because he is the Father of all mankind and takes himself to be concern'd in that dishonour which is done unto those that bear that name when they receive not such duty from their Childrens hands as he commandeth and that the Law likewise inflicteth an inevitable punishment against such which I should be very sorry if thou G shouldest be so unhappy as to incur If by these remonstrances the child amend it is fit to pardon him the faults committed by him rather out of ignorance than malice for in so doing the Lawgiver shall be accounted wise and the Parents shall be held happy when they see that their Son or Daughter is exempt from the punishment H which the Laws appoint But if such speeches and instructions of the Father are set light by the Son let the Laws be irreconcileable enemies against such continual outrages and let him be drag'd out of the City in the sight and presence of all the people and there let him be stoned to death and after the offender hath lain a whole day in the sight of the people let him be buried by
were different in language For confusedly encountring one another they Massacred all they met supposing them Enemies When the Rumor of this Slaughter and Gideon's Victory came K to the ears of the rest of the Israelites Ver. 22. they armed themselves and pursued and overtook the Enemy The Madianites and their Confederates kill one another being intangled in certain places unpassable through many Brooks so that being environed on every side most of them were put to the Sword amongst which were two Kings Oreb and Zeb Two other Kings Zebé and Hezerbun escap'd with their Soldiers Ver. 25. to the number of Eighteen thousand and encamped not far from the Israelites The Israelites pursue their Enemies and kill Oreb and Zeb but Gideon was no ways astonished hereat but charging them valiantly with his whole Army he defeated all the Troops and took the Kings captive There dyed in the two Battels of the Madianites and Arabians their Allies almost Sixscore thousand Judg. 2. 7. The Hebrews also took an inestimable prey of Gold Silver Apparel Camels and Horses Gideon taketh Zeb and Ezarbon But Gideon returning to Ephraim put to death the two Kings of the Madianites L which he had taken Nevertheless the Tribe of Ephraim being displeased with his happy execution Ver. 10. resolved to make War against him accusing him that he had not made them privy to his design against the Enemy 120000 Madianites with their Confederates slain But Gideon being a prudent Man and endowed with all kind of virtue gave them this modest answer That he had not proceeded by his own direction but by the command of God notwithstanding that the Victory was no less theirs than his or those of his Followers that atchieved the Enterprise With these his words appeasing their wrath he did no less service to the Hebrews by his prudence The year of the World 2292. before Christ's Nativity 1270. than by his valor delivering them from a Civil War whereinto they had fallen if his discretion had not prevented it This Tribe was punished for this outrage offered to so noble a Personage as we will declare hereafter in due place Gideon desiring to M discharge himself of the Government was constrain'd to continue the same and ruled the Israelites for the space of Forty years doing justice to every one that desir'd it at his hands Ver. 22. 32. with so great integrity ability and wisdom that the People never fail'd to confirm the judgments which he pronounc'd Gideon reigned 40 years because none could be more equitable He N dyed when he was very old and was buried in the Countrey of Ephraim O CHAP. IX How some of Gideons Successors made War with the Nations round about them GIdeon had seventy lawful Sons begotten on divers Wives Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. and one Bastard by his Concubine Druma called Abimelech who after the decease of his Father retired to Shechem Judg. 9. v. 1. ad 5. where his Mother was born There assisted with money by his Mothers kindred Abimelech killeth 69 of his Brethren and backed by men resolute and fit for all bad actions he returned to his fathers house where he slew all his brethren except Jotham who by good hap saved himself by flight When he had once usurp'd the Government he ruled all things according B to his lust à v. 8. ad 25. and neglected the Ordinances and prescripts of Law hating all those that in any sort were maintainers of equity Jotham by an allusion upbraideth the Shechemites of their ingratitude towards Gideon One day whilst there was a solemn feast held at Shechem whereunto the whole people were usually wont to resort Jotham his Brother who as we said saved himself by flight getting up the Mountain of Garizim which over-hangeth the City of Shechem with a loud voice that might easily be over-heard by the people and in a general silence of the whole multitude desir'd them to hear him a few words and he told them that in times past the Trees were accustomed articulately to speak after the manner of men The counsel of the Trees in choice of a King and that in a certain assembly wherein they were to consult of their government they desir'd the Fig-tree to accept the soveraignty over them which when it refused and pleaded in its own behalf that it C was contented with that honour which they gave it for its fruit and desired no more The Trees ceased not to seek another Prince and offer'd that honour to the Vine which in as many words as the Fig-tree refused the same the like did the Olive-tree At last they address'd to the Bramble whose wood is good onely to burn which answered If you unfainedly desire me for your King repose your selves under my shadow but if it be only in mockery and to deceive me there shall a fire issue from me and consume you These things said Jotham I report to you not to move you to laughter but for that you having received many benefits at the hands of Gideon suffer Abimelech who in spirit differeth nothing from fire to usurp the Government after the slaughter of my brethren When he had spoken after this manner he departed and for three years lived hid amongst D the mountains flying the fury of Abimelech After some time the Shechemites being moved with compassion and just revenge v. 23 c. of the murther committed upon the Sons of Gideon drove Abimelech out of their City The Shechemites banish Abimelech and the whole Tribe Whereupon he resolved to do some mischief both to the City and the Citizens And though their Vintage was at hand yet they durst not go forth to gather the fruit for fear of him It hapned at that time a certain great man called Gaal arrived their with a Troop of Soldiers and his kindred The Shechemites desired him to grant them a Guard whilest they gathered their Harvest which request of theirs being granted by Gaal they issued out with their Forces and securely brought in their fruits and feasting one with another in companies they were so bold as to scoff at Abimelech and the chief of his E Followers And some of those strangers that came into their City to their assistance surprised v. 34. by Ambuscado divers of Abimelechs people and slew them But Zebul one of the Shechemites Abimelechs practice against the Shechemites and Abimelechs Host signified unto him by a messenger how Gaal incited the people against him and he counselled him to lye in wait for him near about the City promising to bring Gaal thither and so he might easily revenge himself of the injury which his enemy had offered him and reconcile himself to the people again When Abimelech had chosen a place sit to lie 〈◊〉 ambush and Gaal with Zebul carelesly walked in the suburbs Gaal suddenly espying certain
was not delivered from his suspicion but desired him to relate to him all that he had signified to his Wife The Angel answered that it sufficed that she knew it whereupon he asked him what he was to the end that when his Son should be born he might give him presents and thanks The Angel answered that he had no need thereof by reason that he had not brought the good news of the birth of his I Son for any necessity that he had Manoah entreated him to stay and receive some token of kindness but he would not consent Finally being instantly pressed to abide and receive some gift Manoah kill'd a Kid and commanded his Wife to roast it And when all things were in readiness the Angel commanded them to lay the Bread and Flesh upon a Rock without dishes which being done he touched the Flesh with a wand which he had in his hand and suddenly a flaming fire consumed both the Bread and Flesh and the Angel was seen to ascend up into Heaven in the Smoke as it were in a Chariot Manoah was in great fear lest some inconvenience should happen unto him because they had seen God but his Wife comforted him assuring that God had appeared to them for their good Shortly after she became big with child and observed K all that had been commanded her v. 24. and when the Infant was born Samsons birth she called his name Samson which is as much as to say strong who soon grew to be of excellent beauty both of mind and body wearing his Hair unshorn and using sobriety in his diet whereby he gave some signs of what had been foretold concerning him It hapned on a day that there was a solemnity celebrated in Thamna a City of the Philistines whither Samson resorted with his Father and Mother and being surprised with love of one of the Damsels of that place he desired his Father and Mother that this maid might be given him in marriage which they refused alledging that she was not of the same Lineage Judg. 14. 5 6. and that God would provide him a match to the good and profit of his Nation Samson teareth a Lion in peices with his hands but in the end he prevailed so much that he espoused the Maiden L Now as he ordinarily walked to her Parents it happened one day that being disarmed he met with a Lion upon the way whom he grasped and strangled with his hands and having slain him he cast the body of the Beast into a Wood not far distant from the high way Another day returning in like sort to the Damsel he found a swarm of Bees which made their honey in the breast of the same Beast Samson marrieth one of the Daughters of the Philistines and he took three hony-combs which he carried with other presents to his intended Wife After this lie invited the Thamnites to the celebration of his marriage who for that they feared his strength under colour of doing him honour chose out thirty strong and valiant young men v. 1 2 3. to be seemingly his companions but in effect his Guardians to the end he might not attempt any commotion in the midst of the festivity Samson said M to his companions I will propose a question to you which if you can resolve I will give each of you a fine Linnen Shirt v. 12 13 14. and other vestments They being very desirous both to be reputed wise Samson propoundeth a riddle to the Thamnites and to gain the reward proposed pressed him to propound his question which he did in these terms He that devoureth all hath been himself the food of others and how terrible soever he was this food hath been no less sweet and agreeable They employ'd three dayes to find out the sense thereof but they could not and therefore they desired Samson's Spouse to get the secret from her Husband and disclose the same to them which if she refused they threatned to burn her to death Samson at the first notwithstanding her flatteries and sollicitations denied to tell it her at last she urged him so instantly and shed so many tears telling him that if he N did not expound the question to her she would take it for a certain sign that he hated her that at last he told her he had slain a Lion and how in him he had found the three honey-Combs which he brought to her v. 18. and not distrusting either fraud or guile he related the whole story to her Samsons Wife discovereth the riddle to the Thamnites and she afterwards reported the same to those that had employed her in the discovery When the seventh day was come and the question was to be decided the young men assembled themselves together about Sun-set and said There is nothing more terrible than a Lion nor any thing more pleasant to taste than honey v. 19 20. Whereunto Samson replied Samson killeth certain Ascalonites and his Wife marrieth with another you should adde that there is not any thing more dangerous than a woman for she it is that hath betray'd me and reported my words to you Notwithstanding all this he delivered that which he had promised them out of the booty O which he had taken from certain Ascalonites whom he encountred upon the way But he would not pardon his Wife and the woman seeing her self despised married A one of his friends The year of the World 2791 before Christ's Nativity 1173. who had in his behalf first sollicited the marriage Samson being more incensed by this injury resolved to revenge himself both on her and the whole Nation For which cause in the Summer time when the Corn was ready to be reapt he took three hundred Foxes to whose tayls having fastned flaming Torches he drove them into the Philistines fields of Corn Judg. 15. 4 5 c. consuming by this means all their hope of Harvest The Philistines understanding that Samson had done this and conceiving the reason that induced him to it Samson burned the Philistines fruit sent a party of Soldiers to Thamna and burnt this woman alive with all her kindred as the cause of the loss that had hapned to them After Samson had slain divers Philistines in the Countrey he went and dwelt at Etam which is a strong Rock in the Tribe of Juda. For which cause the Philistines assailed that Tribe who B represented to them that there was no reason why they should suffer for those offences which were committed by Samson and especially since they payed them tribute The Philistines replied that unless they would be maintainers of his act of unjustice they must deliver Samson unto them They desirous that the Philistines might have no cause of quarrel against them came to the Rock to the number of 3000 men and there blamed Samson for those actions which he had done against the Philistines because they were a
was fatal to the Philistines And whereas he was allured and besotted by a woman 't is an effect of the infirmity of humane nature which is prone to such faults in all other things we cannot too much admire his vertue His Kindred took his body and buried it in Sarasa his Countrey in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors CHAP. XI How the sons of Eli the High Priest were slain in battel by the Philistines L AFter the decease of Samson Ruth 1. v. 1 ad 6. Eli the High Priest took upon him the Government of the Israelites Hedio Ruffinus Chap. 14. During his time there was a great Famine and Elimelech unable to endure the misery thereof came from Bethlehem a City of the Tribe of Juda to inhabit in the Countrey of Moab A famine in the days of Eli. bringing with him Naomi his Wife and Chilon and Maalon his Sons whom he had by her Now when his affairs had fallen out with as fortunate success as could be desired he married his Sons to certain Daughters of the Moabites Chilon to Orpha and Maalon to Ruth After ten years Elimelech and his Sons died By which affliction Naomi being cast into great sorrow and destitute of their company whose dear familiarity she had preferred before the love of her Countrey chang'd M her resolution according to those occurrences that had happened to her and determined to return to her Friends by reason she had received intelligence that her Countrey at that time was in better estate than when she left it Her Daughters in-law would not endure to be separated from her but would needs accommpany her but she wishing them a more happy marriage than that which they enjoyed with her Sons and prosperity in all other things and protesting unto them that she had no ability to do them good she desired them to stay in that place and not by following their wretched Mother-in-law in an uncertain event C. v. 7 ad 14 lose the certain pleasure and peaceable fruition of their Countrey These her persuasions took effect with Orpha but Ruth resolved in no sort to forsake her attended on her Mother-in-law as future companion of whatsoever fortune N should befall her v. 15 ad 19. Now when both of them arrived in Bethlehem Namo◠after the decease of her Husband and Sons departeth with Ruth into her own Countrey where as we shall see afterwards Boos Abimelechs Kinsman entertained them in his house the Citizens called her by the name of Naomi but she said that they should rather call her Mara for Naomi in the Hebrew tongue signifies felicities and Mara bitterness When it was Harvest time Ruth by the permission of her Mother went out into the fields to glean Corn for their sustenance Ruth goeth into Bethlehem and it fortuned that she met in the field with Boos who came thither likewise not long after and who beholding her inquired of the chief Reaper touching this young woman Ruth 2. v. 1 ad 8. He having a little before understood her condition 〈◊〉 friend to Naomi and Ruth declared it to his Master Boos commending her for the good affection which she bare her mother-in-law and for the memory she had of her deceased Son whom O Ruth had married wished her all good fortune and not suffering her to glean he permitted her to reap and to gather all that which she might commanded the Master-reaper A that he should not hinder her from taking whatsover she pleased The year of the World 2811. before Christ's Nativity 1153. and that when the reapers took their refection they should give her both meat and drink What Corn Ruth gathered she reserved for her Mother-in-law and came home at night and brought her the sheaves In like manner Naomi reserved a portion of certain victuals for her which in way of kindness her neighbours had sent her At her return Ruth reported to her all the words that Boos had said unto her and Naomi gave her to understand that Boos was her kinsman and so good a man that it might be hoped he would take some care of her So Ruth went again with Boos handmaids to gather her gleanings and certain dayes after about the time that they threshed Barley Boos came to his Farm Ruth 3. v. 14 and slept on the floor which when Naomi understood she thought it B might be for the advantage of the young woman to lye and sleep at his feet and accordingly she advised her to endevour it Ruth by her mother-in-laws perswasino lieth at Boos Feet Ruth that made a conscience to contradict her mother-in-law in whatsoever she commanded her went very gently and lay at his feet and upon her first arrival Boos perceived nothing because he was fast a sleep but when he awaked about midnight and felt some body lying at his feet he demanded who it was whereupon she told him her name requesting him as her master that he would permit her to repose in that place for that time He enquired no further but let her sleep but early in the morning before the Servants began their work he commanded her to arise and to take as much Barley with her as she could bear to the end she might return to her mother-in-law before that any man perceived that she had slept C in that place because it is wisdome to avoid occasions of talk especially in a thing of this importance Touching the rest said he the matter standeth thus Thou hast a kinsman said he that is neerer thee in blood than I am thou must enquire of him if it be his pleasure to take thee to Wife Ruth 4. v. 1◠ad 7. if he saith that he liketh thee thou must then necessarily submit unto him but if he refuse thee I will take thee for my Wife according as the Law obligeth me Now when she had reported these news unto her mother-in-law she took courage and conceived hope that Boos would not abandon them Boos came to the City about noon and called a Council of the Elders and sent for Ruth and his kinsman to whom he spake thus Doest thou not possess the heretage of Abimelech Yes answered he I am seized thereof by the right of proximity according to D Law Boos replied Thou must not saith he only observe the Laws in part but thou must precisely execute them all Behold here a young woman Abimelech's Widow whom it behoveth thee to marry according to the Law Boos exhorteth his kinsman to marry Ruth if thou wilt inherit possessions But the man surrendred to Boos not only the possessions but also the woman by reason that Boos was allied also to those that were dead and especially for that the said kinsman had already both Wife and Children Boos therefore having first taken the Magistrates to witness called for the woman and willed her to draw near her kinsman and to unloose his shoe
and strike him on the face according as the Law had ordained which done Boos espoused Ruth by whom about a year after he had a Son which Naomi brought up and called his name Obed in hope he would assist in her old age E for Obed in the Hebrew tongue signifies assistance v. 13. Obed begat Jesse Boos begetteth Obed Davids grand father upon Ruth and Jesse begat David who was King and who left the Realm to his successors for one and twenty Generations I was obliged to relate these things touching Ruth because I would declare how God by his Soveragin power 1 Sam. 2. 12. ad 17. raises whom he pleases from obscurity to the highest dignity as he did David whose original I have shewed you The affairs of the Hebrews were at this time in very poor estate Ophni and Phinees the wicked Sons of Eli the High-Priest and they entred into a new War against the Philistines upon this occasion The High Priest Eli had two Sons Ophni and Phinees They against all right and law offering outrages to men and committing impieties against God suffered no sin to escape them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1◠all 12. for they were not contented to receive what belonged to them but they took what did not And as women F came to the Tabernacle for devotion they abused them ravishing some against their wills and corrupting others by presents and thus they exercised a manifest and licentious tyranny their Father was much displeased with them for these crimes as well as the people And God having declared to Eli and the Prophet Samuel who then was very young what vengeance should fall upon Eli's Children he mourned over them as if they had been already dead But I will first speak something concerning this Prophet Samuel and afterwards of the Children of Eli and what calamity fell upon all the Hebrew Nation Elcana was a Levite of mean condition living in Ramath a part of Ephraim 1 Sam. 1. v. 10 12 13. he had married two Wives the one called Anna the other Phenenna by Phenenna he had children Anna. the Wife of Elcana requireth a Son at Gods hand yet he loved Anna very intirely although she was barren G One day when Elcana with his Wives were at Silo where the Tabernacle of God was as we have before declared to the intent to offer Sacrifice in that place during the festival he distributed the portion of his meat to his Wives and Children Anna beholding the Children of his other Wife sitting neer their Mother began to weep and H lament with her self The year of the World 2818. before Christ's Nativity 1468. because she was without issue and could not be eased with all consolation which her Husband gave her She went into the Tabernacle to beseech God that it would please him to make her a Mother and made a vow that if he gave her a Son he should be dedicated to the service of God And for that she employed much time in making her prayers the High Priest Eli who sate before the Tabernacle commanded her to depart from thence supposing that she had drunk too much Wine but after she told him that she drank nothing but Water and that being oppressed with grief she was come to the Tabernacle to beseech God that it would please him to grant her Children he exhorted her to be of good courage and assured her that God had heard her prayers whereupon she returned to her Husband full of good hope and I took her repast with joy v. 20. ad finem They returned to their own house she began to be big with child Hannah bare Samuel to Elkanah her Husband and at last she brought forth a Son whom she called Samuel that is to say requested of God Afterwards they returned to offer Sacrifice and give thanks to God for the birth of the child which God had given them and to bring their tenths Hannah remembring the vow she had made delivered the child into the hands of Eli and consecrated him to God to be his Prophsie For which cause they suffered his Hair to grow and he drank nothing but Water and he was brought up in the Temple Elkanah had by Hannah other Sons also and three Daughters 1 Sam. 3. v. 3. ad 10. As soon as Samuel had attained to the age of twelve years he began to prophecy For on a certain night whilest he slept God called him by his name and he supposing that it was the High Priest that K called him came unto him but Eli told him that he had not called him The same thing was done three times and then Eli easily judging what it was said to him Samuel I neither called thee now nor before but it is God that calleth thee answer him therefore and say Here I am ready to obey He heard the voice of God once more and he answered behold me O Lord what wouldst thou have me to do I am ready to obey Then God answered saying Go and tell the Israelites that so great a calamity shall fall upon them that no tongue can express it The Sons of Eli shall die in one day and the Priest hood shall be removed from his Family to that of Eleazar For Eli hath loved his Children more than my service and hath drawn my curse upon them Samuel fearing to overwhelm the old man with sorrow C. v. 11. ad 21. would not disclose L this oracle to him God foresheweth Samuel of the death of Eli and his Sons but Eli constrained him to tell it and it made him the more assured of the imiminent death of his Sons And because all the things which Samuel prophesied came to pass his reputation increased daily more and more At that time the Philistines leading out their Army against the Israelites incamped near the City of Amphec Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. and for that the Hebrews were negligent to oppose them 1. Sam. 4. v. 1. 〈◊〉 4. they advanced further into the Countrey So at length in a fight with their Enemies the Philistines got the upper hand and slew 4000 Hebrews The Philistines kill four-thousand of the Israelites and pursued those that fled even to their own Tents The fear of the Hebrews after this overthrow was so great that they sent to the Council of the Elders and the High Priest praying them to bring the Ark of God with them to the end that having it present with them they might give M battel and overcome their Enemies But they considered not that he that had pronounced the sentence of their calamity against them C. 4. v. 4. was greater than the Ark which deserved not to be reverenced but for him The Hebrews bring the Ark into the battel The Ark was brought and the Sons of Eli attended it whom their Father expresly commanded that if it fell out that the Ark was
taken they should never more come into his presence Now Phinces executed the office of the High Priest by the permission of his Father by reason he was very aged The Hebrews upon the arrival of the Ark conceived great hope that they should have the upper hand of their Enemies v. 5. ad 11. The Philistines likewise were dismayed fearing the presence of the same v. 11. 12. c. but the event was not answerable to the one or to the others expectation Ophni and Phinees with thirty thousand are slain and the Ark is surprised by the Enemy For when they joyned battel the victory which the Hebrews hoped N would be theirs fell to the Philistines and the loss which the Philistines feared fell upon the Hebrews who at last perceived that they had reposed their confidence on the Arke in vain For as soon as their Enemies gave them the first charge they turned their backs and lost about thirty thousand men amongst whom were the two Sons of the High Priest and the Ark was taken and carried away by the Enemy O A CHAP. XII The year of the World 2871. before Christ's Nativity 1093. Eli understanding the loss of his Sons fell from his Seat and dyed AS soon as the news of this overthrow was brought to Silo 1 Sam. 4. 13 ad 18. and it was certainly known that the Ark was taken Eli understandeth of the loss of his sons and the surprizal of the Ark. for a young Benjamite who had escap'd out of the Battel came to bring tydings thereof all the City was filled with sorrow and Eli the High Priest who sate in one of the gates on a high Throne understanding the lamentation and judging that some disaster had befallen his People sent to seek out this young B Messenger by whom he was advertis'd of that which had hapned This accident of his Sons and the Army he heard with great moderation because that before that time God had told him what should happen Ver. 18. and those adversities which are foreseen do less afflict us when they happen But when he knew that the Ark was taken Eli hearing of the loss of the Ark dyed and in the Enemies hands a Calamity so beyond his expectation in such sort augmented his grief that he suffered himself to fall from his Throne upon the ground where he dyed he lived 98 years in all and spent 40 of them in the Government of the People The same day dyed the Wife of Phinees the Son of Eli soon after she understood the misfortune of her Husband Ver. 19 20 21. for she was with Child when the message of his death was brought to her Phinees wiâ—e bare Ichabod and dyed and she was deliver'd of a Son in the seventh month which lived and C was called Ichabod which signifieth ignominy by reason of the Infamy received at that time by the Army Eli was the first that governed among the Successors of Ithamar one of the Sons of Aaron The genealogy and progeny of Eli the High Priest for before that time the house of Eleazar was possessed of the Priesthood the Son receiving it from his Father Eleazar left it to Phinees after him Abiezer his Son enjoy'd the place and left it to his Son Boci whose Son called Ozes receiv'd it after whom Eli of whom we speak at this present took the same whose Posterity retain'd that dignity till the time of the Reign of Solomon when the Posterity of Eleazar were restored to it D E F G The Sixth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 2850. before Christ's Nativity 1114. H Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Sixth Book 1. How the Philistines compelled by Pestilence and Famine sent the Ark of God back again unto the Hebrews 2. The Victory of the Hebrews under the Conduct of Samuel 3. How Samuel when his strength failed him through age committed the administration of I Affairs to his Sons 4. How the People being offended with the manners of Samuels Sons required a King that might rule over them 5. Saul by Gods Commandment anointed King 6. Sauls Victory against the Ammonites 7. The Philistines assailing the Hebrews are over come by them in Battel 8. The Victory of Saul against the Amalekites 9. Samuel translateth the Royal Dignity unto David 10. The Expedition of the Philistines against the Hebrews 11. Davids single Fight with Goliath and the slaughter of the Philistines that follow'd K 12. Saul admiring Davids fortitude giveth him his Daughter in marriage 13. How the King sought Davids death 14. How David oftentimes hardly escaped the Kings malice yet having him twice in his power he would not hurt him 15. The Hebrews are overcome in a great Battel by the Philistines wherein Saul the King and his Sons fighting valiantly are slain CHAP. I. How the Philistines compelled by Pestilence and Famine sent back the Ark of the L Covenant unto the Hebrews AFter the Philistines had got the Victory over the Hebrews 1 Sam. 5. 1 ad 6. and taken the sacred Ark Hedio Ruffiâ—us cap. 1. as we have before declared they brought it with their other spoils to the City of Azot and plac'd it in manner of a Trophee in the Temple of Dagon their Idol The sacred Ark is carried into the Temple of Dagon But the next day after when early in the Morning they entred into the Temple to adore their god they found him fallen from that Base or Pillar that sustained him and lying along the ground his face upward They of Azot are horribly plagued for taking away the Ark. before the Ark whereat being much moved they took him up and fastened him in his former place and when they came often thither and always found him prostrate M and as it were adoring before the Ark a great fear and perturbation invaded the whole People Mice devour the fruit of the Countrey of Azot At length a grievous Plague not only ranged in the City of Azot but also seized on all the Inhabitants of the Countrey For the People being suddenly taken with the Flux dyed in great Torment and some of them vomited up their Bowels being corrupted and corroded with the disease Besides this the whole Land swarmed with Mice which destroying all things neither spared the Corn nor any other Fruit. The Azotians being afflicted with these Calamities and unable longer to endure the same understood that the Ark was the cause thereof and that neither the Victory or the taking of the same had any ways procured their advantage They therefore sent to the Ascalonites desiring them to receive the Ark into their City who willingly condescending N to their Embassage and Demand received the Ark and were presently plagued with the same sicknesses which the Azotians had suffered For together with the Ark the
invade one another and are put to flight whom they found asleep and assailing them slew 20 of them and filled the whole Army with terror and amazement so that casting away their Weapons they fled with all speed and some being ignorant which were their Friends or Foes invaded one another as Enemies For imagining with themselves that only two Hebrews durst never enter their Camp they conceiv'd there was Treachery among themselves and so fell to slaughter one another so that some of them were slain others fled to escape the Sword and fell headlong down the Rocks But when the Kings Spies told him what confusion and disorder was hapned in the Camp of the Philistines C Saul demanded whether any of his Company were absent and hearing that his Son and his Armor-bearer were missing he desired the High Priest to attire himself with the Ephod that so he might learn of God what was to happen He did so and assur'd him that he should obtain the Victory over his Enemies Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Whereupon Saul sallied out and assaulted the Philistines Ver. 20 ad 26. whil'st they were thus confused and disordered and fighting one against another Saul hearing that there was a tumult in the Philistines camp fallieth out upon them To him there flocked in great multitudes such as before were fled into dens and places under ground as soon as they heard that the Victory inclined on Sauls side so that gathering together to the number of 10000 Hebrews he pursued his scattered Enemies thorow all the Countrey But afterward a great inconvenience hapned unto Saul proceeding from the joy he had conceived by this Victory for commonly D such as are blessed by such good fortune are not Masters of their own affections and reasons or rather proceeding from his ignorance For intending to satiate himself with revenge for all those injuries which he had received from the Philistines he published an Imprecation or Curse against any one whomsoever that intermitting the pursuit should take sustenance before Night purposing to continue the same till dark Night Ver. 27 ad 30. This Execration thus published by Saul it chanced that his Son who had not heard of it Sauls Edict unwittingly broken by Jonathan nor the general allowance of the same by the People entring into a certain Grove belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim wherein were many swarms of Bees by chance light upon a Honey-comb and pressing the Honey did eat the same Afterwards having intelligence that his Father had under a grievous penalty of Execration forbidden E any man to taste any sort of Meat before Sun-set he gave over eating yet said that his Father had done amiss in publishing that Prohibition by reason that if they had received sustenance they might with greater force and vigor have pursued the Enemy that fled and slain more of them After the slaughter of many thousands of the Philistines about Evening they began to ransack and spoil the Camp of the Philistines and they carried away great spoils and a number of Cattel part of which were slain and eaten with the blood Ver. 32. contrary to the Law Which when the Scribes had signified to the King The Hebrews feed on bloody flesh how the People had offended against God by slaughtering the Beasts and eating the flesh of them before it was either washt or purified from the blood Saul commanded that a great stone should be rowled into the midst of the Camp and that the People F should kill the Beasts upon the same and forbear to eat flesh with the blood because it was not agreeable unto God All which was performed as the King had commanded and Saul erected an Altar in that place on which he offered a Burnt-sacrifice to God This was the first Altar that he erected But Saul being desirous incontinently to assail the Enemies Camp and sack all that was therein before day whilest his Men of War diligently follow'd him and shew'd great forwardness in the execution of his command the King ask'd counsel of the High Priest Achilob Ver. 37 38. whether God would give him the victory and permit those that should enter the Enemies Camp to return from thence Conquerors The High Priest told him that God returned him no answer which when he understood Ver. 41 42. It is not without some great cause said he that God is thus silent who heretofore G was wont to give a 〈◊〉 answer what we ought to do Saul trieth by lot who hath displeased God but there must needs be some hidden sin amongst us that giving offence to him causeth him to be silent But I swear by the same God that although mine own son Jonathan should have committed that sin I will to appease God with no less severity punish him than any the least stranger that is neither by alliance nor H affinity tyed unto me Now when the People cryed out and encourag'd him to the performance of what he had spoken he presently assembled them in one place and standing with his Son apart began by casting lots to find out him that was faulty When the lot fell upon Jonathan Ver. 44. he ask'd him what Crime he had committed Jonathan answer'd I know no other thing Saul intendeth to kill his own son being prepared and resolute to dye but that yesterday being in pursuit of the Enemy and ignorant of thine Edict I tasted of an Honey-comb whereupon Saul swore that he would put him to death rather than violate his Oath the observation of which he prefer'd before his own blood and all the sentiments of nature He nothing astonish'd at his present danger with a generous and dreadless mind presented himself with this Reply O Father said he I entreat no favour at thy hands for I willingly submit to that death which may I discharge thee of thy vow Ver. 45 46. the more contentedly because I have seen so famous a victory for I shall dye contented The Israelites rescue Jonathan from his displeased Father to see the insolence of the Philistines overmastered by the power of the Hebrews This valor and courage of the young man moved the whole multitude to remorse and commiseration so that they all swore that they would not suffer Jonathan who was the Author of so famous a victory to be put to death so they rescued the young man out of the hands of his displeased Father and pray'd to God to pardon him the fault which he had committed Saul after he had slain about 6000 of his Enemies returned with victory to his own house Oba or Soba and Reigned afterwards very happily and overcame the Ammonites Philistines Moabites Idumeans Amalekites and King Zoba He had three sons Jonathan Joshua and Melchi and two Daughters Merob and Michol The K General of his Army was Abner the son of his Uncle called Neer for Neer and Cis Sauls Father were Brothers and
David said unto him I know that thou wilt further me in what thou mayst David desired Jonathan to sound his Father how he was affected towards him and refuse me in nothing Now to morrow is the first day of the month in which I was accustomed to dine at the Kings Table if thou thinkest good I will depart out of the City into the field where I will lie hid And if he ask for me thou shalt say I am gone into the Countrey of Bethlehem where my Tribe solemnizeth a feast and thou shalt certifie him also that thou hast given me leave And if he I say God speed him which is an ordinary wish that friends use to such as go a journey know that he hath no hidden rancour nor secret malice conceived against me but if he answer otherwise it shall be an assured testimony that he plotteth some mischief against me and this shalt thou ascertain me of as both becometh my present calamity and our mutual friendship which by vowed oath thou being my Lord hast plighted to me who am thy Servant And if thou think me unworthy of this favour and injurious towards thy Father without expecting the sentence of his justice kill me now at this present with thine own Sword These last words so pierced Jonathans heart that he promised him to accomplish his request and certifie him if he any wayes could perceive that his Father was ill affected towards him and to the intent he might the better be believed K he caused him to walk forth with him into the open air v. 16 17 8 19. and there sware to him that he would not omit any thing that might tend to his preservation For said he that God that seeth and governeth all things in this universe Jonathan confirmeth his friendship towards David with an oath and who before I speak knoweth my mind he I say shall bear witness of that accord which shall be between thee and me that I will not cease to sound my Father till I know his intention concerning thee and as soon as I understand the same I will not conceal it from thee but give thee notice thereof be it good or evil The same God knoweth how incessantly I beseech him to be assistant to thee as also he is at this present and that he never abandon thee but make thee Lord over thine Enemies yea though it were my Father or my self Only remember me in this point that after my death If I chance to die before thee L thou take care of my children and be as favorable towards them as I am affectionate to thee at this present v. 20. ad 24. After he had sworn this oath Jonathan giveth David certain signs whereby he should know whether his Father were displeased with him he dismissed David willing him to conceal himself in a certain place of the Plain where people ordinarily exercised themselves For that as soon as he understood his Fathers mind he would return thither with his Page and if saith he having shot three shafts at the mark I command my Page to fetch them back again to me know that thou art to expect no evil from my Father but if I do not think thou that my Father is incensed and ill affected towards thee yet howsoever it be I will do my best that nothing shall befall thee otherwise than we expect and wish Be thou therefore mindful of these things when thou shalt obtain thy happy dayes and be favorable to my children David being confirmed M by Jonathans promises retired to the apointed place The next day after which was the solemnity of the new-Moon after the King had purified himself according to the custom he sate down to take his repast and as his Son Jonathan was set on his right side and Abner the General of his Army on the left Saul perceived Davids place void and spake not a word supposing that he was absent from that company by reason he was not purified since he had the company of his Wife v. 25. ad 30. but seeing that on the second day of the new-Moon he was absent likewise Saul questioneth about Davids absence he asked his Son Jonathan why David was not present at the feast those two days He answered him that he was gone into his countrey Jonathan by his answer essayeth to know his Fathers mind according as it had been concluded between them where his own tribe celebrated a feast and that he had given him leave to assist at the same Further said he he invited N me to the feast and if it stand with your pleasure I will go thither for you know how entirely I love the man At this time Jonathan knew the displeasure his Father had conceived against David v. 30. and perceived most apparently how heinously he was affected Saul discovereth his heinous hate against David for Saul could not conceal his choler but began to rail upon his Son calling him Rebel and Enemy and companion and confederate with David and telling him that he shewed reverence neither to him nor to his Mother since he was so minded and that he could not believe v. 28 29. that as long as David lived their Royall estate could be safe he commanded him therefore to bring him before him Jonathan excusing David to his Father is almost slain with a javelin by him to the end that he might do justice upon him Jonathan replied What evil hath David committed for which he should be punished Hereupon Saul not only expressed his choler in words and reproaches O but took a javelin to kill his Son and had certainly slain him had he not been restrained by his friends Thus Jonathan clearly discovered the â—â—â—red of Saul A to David and how ardently he sought his ruine since his friendship to him had like to to have cost him his own life Then did Jonathan withdraw himself from the banquet without eating seeing with how little profit he had pleaded and seeing that David was adjudged to die he passed all the night without sleep and about day-break he departed out of the City to the appointed field making shew that he walked out to take his exercise v. 33 34. but indeed it was to discover to his friend the intent which his Father had Jonathan flyeth from the banquet according as it was covenanted between them After Jonathan had done that which he promised and sent back his Page into the City he came to David both to see and speak with him in private v. 35 36. David as soon as he saw him cast himself at his feet Jonathan and David meet in the field calling him the preserver of his life But Jonathan lifted him up from the earth B and both of them embracing one another and intermixing their mutual kisses for a long time Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. lamented their misfortune with tears and this
married to David having obtained that degree of honour by her modesty and beauty Now David had a Wife before named Ahinoam V. 39. ad finem whom he had married out of the City of Abesar As touching Michol the Daughter of Saul David marrieth Abigail Nabals wife and other-whiles his Wife Saul gave her to Wife at Lissa to the Son of Phalti of the City of Gethla After this certain Ziphians coming to Saul Saul marrieth his daughter Michol to another husband told him that David was returned again into their Countrey and that if it pleased him to assist them they might easily apprehend him Whereupon Saul took the Field with 3000 Men and being surprized by Night he encamped in a certain place called Siceleg 1 Sam. 26. v. 1 ad 9. F When David was certified that Saul was come forth against him The Ziphians once more labour to betray David in their Countrey he sent out certain Spies to whom he gave charge to bring him intelligence into what place at that time Saul was retired who ascertained him that he was at Siceleg he watched all that Night without the knowledge of any of his Followers and went into Sauls Camp attended only by Abisai his sister Servia's Son and Abimelech the Hittite V. 7 8 ad 13. Now whil'st Saul was asleep David once more attended by two entering into Sauls Camp stole away his Dart and his Pitcher of water and his General Abner with all his Soldiers David entred into the Kings Camp and although he knew the Kings Pavilion by his Javelin that stood at the door thereof yet slew he him not neither permitted he Abisai who was very forward to execute the slaughter But this he said that although the King were wicked yet since he was appointed by God himself he could not attempt any thing G against his life and be innocent for that it was Gods right to take vengeance on him to whom he had given the Kingdom and thus restrained he the others fury Yet to the intent he might certifie the King that having the opportunity to slay him he spared his life The year of the World 2891. before Christ's Nativity 1073. he bare away with him his Javelin and the Pitcher of water that stood by H Saul whil'st he slept without the knowledge of any of the Camp so much were they devoured and overwhelmed with sleep He therefore departed thence in all assurance having executed all that which either the time or his courage would permit him to do But after he had passed the River and had attained the top of a Mountain from whence he might be easily heard he cryed out to Sauls Soldiers and their General Abner so loud that he awaked them from their sleep and calling unto Abner as well as the common sort of Soldiers Ver. 14 ad 18. the General asked Who it was that called him to whom David answered David upbraideth Abner King Sauls General for suffering his Kings Javelin and Pitcher of water to be taken from him It is I the Son of Jesse your Fugitive but said he How cometh it to pass that thou who art so great and in chiefest authority about the King hast so small respect and guard of his person Thy sleep is more pleasant unto thee than to watch for his conservation Assuredly this I act of thine deserveth a capital punishment because thou neither hast discovered me nor any others before we entred the Camp or approached the King Behold here the Kings Javelin and his Pitcher of water by which you may perceive in what great danger he hath been even in the midst of you without any notice or discovery of yours Saul perceiving that it was Davids voice A ver 21 ad finem and seeing that through the negligence of his Guards Saul praiseth David and willeth him to be of good courage and exhorteth him to return to his own house it had been easie for him to have slain him which after so many provocations would not have seem'd strange to any man he acknowledged himself indebted to him for his life exhorting him to be assured and without suspecting any evil to return home unto his house because he was persuaded that he loved not himself so much as he was beloved by David notwithstanding that he had pursued him and for a long time K had chased him like a Fugitive constraining him by divers persecutions to forsake his dearest Friends and instead of rewarding his services had reduc'd him to the utmost extremities Hereupon David willed him to send some one of his Servants to bring back his Javelin and Pitcher of water protesting that God should be Judge of both their natures manners and actions who knew that that day also he had spared his Enemy whom if he had thought good he might have destroyed David having thus the second time spared Saul's life 1 Sam. 27. 1. and not willing to continue any longer in a Countrey David declareth his innocency to Saul where he might be in danger of falling at length into the hands of his Enemies he thought good to retire into the Countrey of the Philistines and sojourn there Saul desisteth to persecute David So that accompanied with 600 Men which he had with him he went to Achis L King of Gath one of their five Cities who received him kindly and gave him a place to dwell in Ver. 8 ad fin so that he abode in Gath having with him his two Wives Atchimaas and Abigail David with six hundred men and his two wives went into Palestine to Achis King of Gitia Which when Saul understood he troubled him no more because he had twice been in danger of his life whil'st he pursued him David held it not convenient to remain in the City of Gath and therefore requested the King of the Philistines that he would assign him some part of his Countrey where he might make his habitation because he feared to be chargeable to him if he remained in the City Achis assigned to him a Village called Siceleg David requireth a certain place at the Kings hands to make his habitation in which David after he obtained the Kingdom loved so well that he purchased the perpetual inheritance of it after he came to the Crown But hereof will we speak in another place The time that David lived amongst the Philistines M and in the Town of Siceleg were four months and twenty days during which time The King giveth him Siceleg by several excursions against the bordering Sarrites and Amalekites he spoiled their Countrey and returned back again with a great booty of Oxen and Camels yet brought he thence no Bondmen David spoiled the Sarrites and Amalekites and giveth part of the prey to the King persuading him that he took it from the Jews that inhabited the South Plain lest Achis by their means should thereby have intelligence
suffer an open shame for the sin he had committed in secret Moreover said he the son which thou shalt have by her shall shortly die After the had King received this message v. 13. 14. he was troubled David confesseth his sin and obtaineth pardon at Gods hands and wept confessing that he had done wickedly for before this time he had always feared God and had never in his life offended him but in the case of Vria whereupon after his submission God was E appeased and took compassion of him promising him to continue both his life and Kingdom v. 15 16 17 18. and that he would be no more displeased with him if he repented him of the sin he had committed David fasteth seven dayes lamenting and mourning for his Son After Nathan had declared these things unto David he departed unto his own house But God according to the word of the Prophet inflicted a grievous sickness on the infant that was born by Bethsabe for which cause the King was troubled and for seven days space would eat no meat although he was earnestly pressed thereunto by his Servants He put on likewise a mourning habit and cloathed himself with Sackcloth beseeching God that it would please him to grant him the childs life But when the infant was deceased about the seventh day of his sickness v. 20 21. his servants durst not let him know it supposing that if it should come unto his ear David being certified that the child was dead ariseth and washing taketh sustenance he would the more obstinately abstain from eating F and his health would be indangered by his inordinate grief considering he had so vehemently been afflicted for his sickness But the King perceiving that his Servants were troubled and that they concealed something from him and gathering thereby that his Son was dead he called unto him one of his offices who certifying him of the truth he arose and washed himself v. 21 22. and changed his rayment and presented himself before the Tabernacle of God David yieldeth a reason why during the childs life he fasted and why being dead he took refection and commanded that they should bring him meat that he might eat Whereat his friends and Servants wondred and besought him that they might know the cause he answered while the child was alive and I had hope of his recovery I omited no means whereby I might move God to mercy but now after he is dead it were in vain for me to spend my self with unnecessary grief Which when they heard they G approved the wisdom of the King v. 24. After this Bethsabe his Wife brought him a second Son who was called Solomon Solomon was born by Bethsabe Mean while Joab closely besieged the Ammonites and cut off their water and supplies of Provision so that they were nigh famished for want of Victuals The year of the World 2816. before Christ's Nativity 1040. for they had only one little spring so that they feared lest it would be suddenly H dry He therefore wrote unto the King and certified him of the state of the City and exhorted him to come in person and be present at the taking of it to the intent that he might have the honour of taking the Town The King Joab by letters solliciteth the King to come to the surprisal of Rabatha understanding what Joab had written commended his affection and fidelity and taking with him all the forces which he had he came to the taking in of Rabatha which being carried by force and the plunder given to his Soldiers he reserved for himself the Crown of the King of the Ammonites weighing a talent of Gold in the midst whereof was enchased a Sardonyx of great value v. 27. ad finem which David wore upon his head He found likewise in that City divers spoils of great price David surprizing Rabatha by force giveth it for a prey to his Souldiers but the inhabitants he put to the Sword and did the like in all the Cities of the Ammonites which he took by force But after I the King was returned unto Jerusalem a great misfortune befell his family upon this occasion He had a Daughter which was a Virgin fair and beautiful and surpassed all other women in perfections Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. whose name was Thamar born of the same Mother with Absolon Of her Amnon the eldest Son of David became enamoured and because he could not enjoy her at his pleasure 2 Sâ—â— 13. 1. ad 19. he grew so melancholy that his body dryed up and his colour changed through grief A certain cousin and friend of his called Jonathan perceiving his passion and observing every day how Amnons beauty and strength decayed came unto him and asked him the cause thereof alledging that that indisposition of his seemed to proceed from some amorous affection Jonathan counselled Amnon how he might injoy his love Which when Amnon confessed and how he was in love with his Sister by the Fathers side Jonathan suggested to him the K means how to compass his desires for he persuaded him to counterfeit himself sick and that if his Father came to visit him he should desire him to send his sister to attend him by which means he should easily be delivered of his sickness This counsel of his was plausible in Amnons ears who presently counterfeited a sickness and laid him down on his Bed as Jonathan had advised him and when David came to visit him he desired him to send his Sister unto him When she came he prayed her that with her own hands she would make some Cakes for him because they would the more content him if they were of her own making wherefore she in her Brothers presence tempered the flower and made certain Cakes and fried them in the Pan and presented them unto him but he tasted them not but commanded all his Servants to retire out of his lodging because L he intended to take his rest without noise or trouble v. 13. As soon as this commandment of his was performed Amnon persuadeth his Sister to submit to his lust he prayed his sister to bring the Meat into his inner Chamber He followed her and discovering his passion began to offer violence But the Virgin crying out endeavoured what she could to disswade him from an action so sinful and dishonourable to their family Amnon notwithstanding his Sisters resist Violateth her or if he had not the power to resist the same she advised him to require her at his Fathers hands and not to take her honour from her by force But he inraged with love neglected all these sayings and violated her notwithstanding all her resistance And as soon as he he had satisfied his lustfull desire he hated her and commanded her to arise and depart She answered that this second outrage was more hainous than the former for that
worthy of a great Prince and in this great authority wherein he was placed he stept not any ways awry but in the case of Vria's Wife He left as much or rather more riches behind him than any other King of the Hebrews or other Nations had F done His Son Solomon buried him most Royally in Jerusalem with all those ceremonies which were accustomed in Royal obsequies and amongst other things he buried a great quantity of riches with him the incredible estimate whereof may be conjectured by that which followeth The sumptuous Sepulchre of David For one thousand three hundred years after the High Priest Hircanus being besieged by Antiochus surnamed the Religious who was Demetrius's Son and willing to gratifie him with some summe of money to the intent he might raise the siege Hircanus â—aketh a huge sum of money out of Davids Tomb. and remove his Army and unable to levy money by any other means he opened the Sepulchre of David from whence he took three thousand talents which he delivered to Antiochus and by this means delivered the City from the siege as we have declared in another place Herod spoileth Davids Sepulchre And again a long time after this Herod also opened it and took from G thence a great summe Nevertheless no man violated that part of the monument where the body of the King was laid for it was so artificially hidden under ground that it would be very difficult to discover it A The Eighth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighth Book 1. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies 2. Of the riches prudence and wisdom of Solomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Jerusalem B 3. How Solomon being dead the people revolted from Rehoboam his son and made Jeroboam King of the ten Tribes 4. How Susac King of Egypt sacking Jerusalem carried away the riches of that City into Egypt 5. The War of Jeroboam against Abias Rehobohams son and the slaughter of his Army and how Basanes extirpated Jeroboams posterity and possess'd the Kingdom 6. The Invasion of the Ethiopians under Asa and the overthrow of their Army 7. The Race of Basanes being rooted out Zamri ruled in Israel with his son Ahab 8. Adad King of Damascus and Syria is twice overthrown by Ahab 9. Of Jehoshaphat King of Jerusalem C 10. Ahab being provoked to War by the Syrians is overcome and slain in battel CHAP. I. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies WE have declared in the former Book what David was how great his virtue hath been 1 Kings 2. what profits and benefits those of his Nation received by him Solomon King of Israel after Davids death what Wars he undertook what Victories he obtained and how happily at last through extremity of age he departed D out of this life But after that Solomon his son being at that time very young had obtained the Kingdom and was placed in his fathers Throne according as David had determined and the divine power had decreed the whole people according to the common course in the election of new Princes with many acclamations wished him a long and prosperous Reign But Adonias who during his fathers life-time thought to possess and seize himself of the Royal estate came unto the Kings mother and with all humility and reverence saluted her To whom Bethsabe said That if there were any thing wherein she might serve him he should let her know it and that she would willingly apply her self unto it Whereupon he began to say That it was a thing very well known that the Kingdom appertained unto him both in regard of his age as also in respect of E the favor and good liking of the people Ver. 17 ad 24. but since that it had been transferred unto Solomon her son Adonias requireth Abisag to wife by the Will of God he was content therewith and would be his servant being very glad of the fortunate success of his Affairs He therefore besought her that she would sollicite Solomon in his behalf and persuade him to give him Abisag to Wife â—ho had slept with David for that he had not any carnal company with her by reason of his age and that as yet she was fully possessed of her virginity Bethsabe promised him to further his suit to the uttermost of her power and willingly to employ herself toward the accomplishment of the Marriage since she knew the King was willing to gratifie her in whatsoever she should desire as also for that she would instantly intreat him so that he departed from her with assured hope of good success in F his designed Marriage Hereupon Bethsabe presently addressed herself to the King intending to certifie him both what Adonias had requested and what she had granted When Solomon heard that his Mother came to visit him he went out to meet her and embraced her and afterwards conducting her into his Presence-chamber he sate him down and commanded his servants to place a seat on his right hand for his Mother who being seated by him spake unto him after this manner My son vouchsafe me one favor that I shall request at thy hands and send me not hence discontented and dissatisfied through thy refusal Solomon answered her That she should command him by reason that duty tyed him to the satisfaction and favor of his Mothers suits reproving her for that insinuation she had used by reason that thereby she evidently expressed that she was not G thorowly assured to obtain her demand but that she feared a refusal and repulse she therefore required him to give the Damsel Abisag for Wife to Adonias his Brother The King displeased at this her suit dismissed his Mother alledging that Adonias had ill designs and that he wondered that in requiring Abisag to Wife he had not requested Solomon H likewise to give him place in the Kingdom for Adonias was elder than he and had more mighty friends than he had namely the General Joab and the High Priest Abiathar For which cause he forthwith sent Benaia Captain of his Guard to kill Adonias his Brother Ver. 25. Then calling unto him the High Priest Abiathar The pains said he that thou hast endured by accompanying my father David Adonias is slain and attending and bearing the Ark with him make thee escape from death yet notwithstanding for that thou hast been assistant to Adonias Ver. 26. 27. and followed his faction Abiathar iâ— dispossessed of the Priesthood I banish thee from my presence charging thee not to see my face any more but to retire thy self to thine own house and there to live in thy Countrey until thou hast ended thy dayes since you have made your self unworthy of that charge wherewith you are entrusted For this cause was the House of Ithamar deprived of the Priestly I
necessary to declare the occasions whereon at that present the debate was grounded to the end that the Readers may understand the difficulty of the thing in question and that if they happen at any time to be concerned in such affairs they might by his example learn to discover the truth Two Women of loose life and conversation came unto him one of the which who seemed to have suffered the injury began after this manner D I Two women accuse one another for exchange of their children O King said she and this Woman dwell together in one Chamber but so it fortuned that both of us on one day and at the same hour bare each of us a son some three dayes after we were delivered this Woman lying by her Infant had in sleep overlaid it and stifled it and hath taken my Child from between my knees and laid it by her and put the dead Child whilest I slept A v. 16 ad fin into my bosome Now on the morrow when I thought to give mine Infant suck I found not mine own but perceived that her Child lay dead by me for I knew it because I had exactly marked it This my Child I have demanded at her hands and because I could not recover it I have made my Address unto your Majesty for in that we were alone and she is obstinate and feareth not to be convicted by any she persisteth in her denial of the same After the King had heard her request he enquired of the other if she had any thing E to answer to this accusation But she denying the act and averring that the Child which remained alive was hers and that the dead one appertained to the other and besides that since no Man appeared that might determine the controversie but all that stood by were amazed at the obscurity and difficulty of the debate the King at last found out this expedient of discovering the truth He commanded that both the Children should be brought before him Ver. 24 25. as well the living as the dead and calling one of his Guard unto him Solomon commandeth both the children to be divided into two parts he commanded him with his naked Sword to cut both the Children into two parts to the intent that both of them might take the half of the living and the other half of the dead Child This sentence of his at first seemed so ridiculous that it was exploded by all that stood by In the mean time the true Mother began to cry out and desire that F the matter might not pass so far but rather that they should give the whole Child that was alive unto the other for that it sufficed her so she might see him alive though he might be supposed to be anothers The other willingly consented to the division of the Infant and moreover required that the true Mother should be punished But the King conjecturing by the discourse both of the one Ver. 27. and of the other Solomon by the speech and gesture of the women discovereth the true mother which was the true Parent adjudged the Infant unto her that opposed his death for that in equity she was the true Mother and condemned the wickedness of the other who had murthered her own Child and laboured as much as in her lay to procure the death of her companions innocent Infant All the people took this judgment for an assured proof and sign of the Kings prudence and wisdom and from that time forwards they respected and honoured him as G one that was endowed with a divine spirit The Chieftains and Governors under him thorow all the Kingdom were these Vri governed the Countrey of Ephraim wherein was comprised the rule of Bethlehem Aminadab commanded over the quarter of Dura and the Sea-coast and had espoused the daughter of Solomâ—n The great Plain was subjected H to Benaia the son of Achila who governed likewise all the Countrey that extended towards Jordan Gaber commanded the Galaadites and Gaulonites as far as the Mountain Libanus and had under him sixty great Cities and Forts Achinadab governed all Galilee as far as Sadon Solomons governors and captains and had espoused also one of Solomons daughters called Basima Banacat presided over the Maâ—â—time Countrey near to the City of Arce Saphat commanded the Mountains Itabyr and Carmel 1 Reg. 4. 1 ad 21. and the Land of Galilee as far as Jordan Sonbeia governed the whole Land of the Benjamites Tabar had all the government on the other side of Jordan and was elected Governor-general over them all Thus about this time did the Hebrews wonderfully increase in riches and particularly the Tribe of Juda by reason that the people addicted themselves wholly to the tilling and manuring of their I Lands The happy peace of the Israelites in Solomons time For they were assured of their peace and not distracted by any warlike tumults and besides that fruitfully enjoying a most desired liberty they especially intended this thing onely to increase their private estates The King also had other Governors who ruled the Syrians and commanded other strange Nations which are extended from Euphrates as far as Egypt who gathered the Tribute of those Nations for the King These Barbarians every day furnished the King for his own Table Ver. 23. and the maintenance of his Houshold Solomons daily expences with thirty measures of fine flour and sixty of the courser ten fat Oxen and twenty grass Beeves with an hundred fat Lambs All which things besides Venison and Buffalles taken in chase Birds and Fish were furnished daily by the Barbarians to serve the Kings Houshold Ver. 26. He had likewise a great number of Chariots so that he had forty K thousand Mangers wherein his Horses fed Solomons chariot and horsemen and besides these he had twelve thousand Horsemen half whereof kept alwayes about the King in Jerusalem the rest were billetted in divers Villages belonging to the King Solomons prudence and wisdom and remained there And they that had the charge to furnish the Kings expences provided likewise necessary provender for the Horses conveying it to what place soever the King took his progress But so great was the wisdom and prudence which God had bestowed upon Solomon that he surpassed all his Progenitors and the Egyptians likewise who are esteemed the wisest of all Men were far behind him Solomons method in conjuration whereby he cast out devils For he excelled all those that in that time were in the greatest account amongst the Hebrews whose names I will not omit these were Ethan Eman Chaâ—â— and Dodan all four the sons of Machol He composed also 5000 Books of Odes and Songs L and 3000 Books of Parables and Similitudes beginning from the Hyssop unto the Cedar The like did he of all living creatures that feed on the earth swim in the waters or flie in the air for none of their
these things according as he pleaseth After the Retreat of Susac Ver. 9 10. King Rehoboam made shields and bucklers of brass Rehoâ—oam for the golden shields and bucklers maketh new of brass instead of those of gold and gave the like number unto his guard and instead of living in a brave Army in a Royal and Princely state he reigned after a servile manner being all his life-time an enemy to Jeroboam He dyed after he had lived fifty seven years whereof he Reigned seventeen Ver. 13 14. He was a haughty and undiscreet man and lost his estate because he would not give credit to his Fathers friends Reâ—oboam dyeth and Abias reigneth after him He was buried in Jerusalem in the Sepulchre C of the Kings and his son Abias succeeded him in the Kingdom at such time as Jeroboam had already Reigned eighteen years over the Ten Tribes After having related the end of Rehoboam Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. we must give an account likewise of that of Jeroboam 1 Reg. 14. 2 ad 18. He observing no mean or end of his impiety employed himself continually in making of Altars and high places and presumed to ordain Priests of the meanest of the people Jeroboams impiety But God with-held not long to heap the punishment of those his impieties Jeroboams son falleth sick his mother is sent to Achias the Prophet on the head of him and of all his posterity Whereas therefore his son Obimes was sick about that time he commanded his Wife to lay aside her Royal garment and to apparel her self like a common Woman and afterwards to go to Achias the Prophet assuring her that he was admirable for his knowledge in foretelling things to come and had D foretold him that he should be King wherefore he advised her to go to him after the manner of a stranger and enquire of him if her son should escape that sickness Whereupon she disguised herself according as her husband had commanded her and came unto the City of Silo where Achias dwelt and as she was upon entring his house notwithstanding he had lost his sight through age God appeared unto him and told him that Jeroboams Wife came unto him and all that he should answer to her demands At such time therefore as she entered into his house after the guise of a common and strange Woman Achias cryed with a loud voice Enter thou Wife of Jeroboam wherefore hidest thou thy self Thou canst not hide thy self from God who had certified me of thy coming and hath informed me what answer I shall give E unto thee Ver. 10 c. He therefore said unto her The punishment of Jeroboam and the misery of the people fore-prophesied that she should return unto her husband and certifie him of Gods answer to this effect Of little and nothing that thou wert I have made thee great and having dismembred the Kingdom from Davids posterity I have given it unto thee But thou hast forgotten me and having forsaken my service hast molten down new gods whom thou honourest wherefore will I exterminate thee and abolish all thy posterity and cast them off for a prey unto the Dogs and the Fowls of the Air. For I will constitute a King over my people that shall leave no one of Jeroboams Race alive The people also shall have part of this punishment and shall be deprived of this their fruitful Countrey and be scattered amongst the Regions on the other side of Euphrates because they have followed the impieties of their King and adoring those gods that were forged by him have omitted to offer sacrifice unto me And F as concerning thy self O Woman haste thee and certifie thy husband of these things for thou shalt find thy son dead for no sooner shalt thou enter into the City but he shall finish his dayes He shall be buried with the lamentation of the whole people in general For he only was good of all the Race of Jeroboam When Achias had finished his Prophesie the Woman started back sore troubled and dismayed Ver. 17. through the danger of her son and went lamenting onward on her way to find out the King not considering that the more haste she made the more she hastened the death of her son who was not to expire till she arrived and according to the prediction of the Prophet she was not to expect to see him any more alive When as therefore she was arrived she found her son dead as the Prophet had foretold her and recited G the rest unto Jeroboam H CHAP. V. The year of the World 2988 before Christ's Nativity 976. Jeroboams Expedition against the son of Rehoboam the overthrow of his Army Basanes rooteth out the whole posterity of Jeroboam and maketh himself King BUT Jeroboam nothing moved therewith Alias chap. 6. levied a great Army with an intent to make War against Abias The expedition of Jeroboam against Abias King of Juda. the son of Rehoboam who had obtained his Fathers Kingdom over the two Tribes For he despised him because he was young Notwithstanding the young King who was no whit dismay'd although he was inform'd of Jeroboams coming with greater wisdom than was common to his years Ver. 1. ad 9. and beyond all expectation I of his forward Adversary Abias levied an Army against Jeroboam levied an Army out of the two Tribes with which he encountred Jeroboam at the Mountain of Samaria where incamping his Host near unto him he provided all things in a readiness that were requisite for the Battel and had with him four hundred thousand fighting Men 2 Chron. 13. 1 ad 4. but Jeroboam had twice as many Now when the Armies were ranged and expected orders to charge Abias stood up in a certain high place from whence he might be seen and heard and making a sign with his hand he required that Jeroboam and the people would first of all hear him peaceably which granted Ver. 5 ad 12. and each one attending in silence he brake out into these words There is none of you but knoweth Abias oration to the Hebrews wherein he upbraideth them of their superstition and forsâ—â—ing of their Religion that God hath promised the Kingdom to David and his posterity for ever I therefore greatly admire how you have revolted from my Father to submit your selves to Jeroboam K his servant whom at this present you accompany to war against those whom God had ordained to Reign and to take the Kingdom from them the greater part whereof Jeroboam usurpeth unjustly even at this day and which as I suppose he shall not enjoy long For God shall certainly punish him for those Crimes which he hath committed and which he continues daily to commit and to the imitation of which he endeavoreth to seduce you that follow him You have received no injury at my Fathers hands but by reason that he was
misled by the sinister counsels of certain wicked persons and spake unto you certain words which seemed harsh in your ears you have forsaken him in your displeasure but in effect you have separated your selves from God and his Commandments Truly you should have pardoned a young man untrained and untaught in Oratory not onely for the rude words which he used but although his youth and L ignorance should have moved him to commit some churlish and indiscreet action and error yet should you have endured the same For the obligations which you had received from my Grandfather Solomon ought to have prevail'd with you to pass by the defects of his son my father But you have had no regard of all this neither then nor at this present but led forth a great Army against us But whereupon ground you the hope of your victory Is it on your Calves of gold Is it on your Altars on the mountains which are witnesses of your impiety and irreligion Is it your great number that surpasseth ours by far that maketh you confident Truly the force of many thousands is of no value where the Army fighteth in an unjust quarrel For in justice only and piety towards God consisteth the most assured hope of obtaining victory over a mans enemies which must needs be on our side who observe at all times the ordinances of our M God whom mens hands have not fashioned of corruptible matter nor the subtlety of a cunning King could forge to deceive a Commonalty but such an one whose work is the beginning and ending of all things I therefore advise you that presently you repent your selves and that taking a better way you desist from your War and acknowledge the Laws of your Forefathers and those Ordinances which have advanced you to so great felicity Thus spake Abias to the people But whil'st he yet continued his discourse Jeroboam sent certain of his Soldiers by by-wayes to inclose Abias within two straits Ver. 13. before his followers could discover them Now when Abias was thus inclosed in the midst of his enemies his Army began to be discomforted and to lose their courage but he encouraged them and exhorted them to put their trust in God who could not be inclosed by N his enemies so that altogether having called upon God to assist them and after that the Priests had sounded the Trumpet they thrust in amongst their enemies with great shout and God so blinded the understanding and abated the force of Jeroboams Soldiers that they fled and those on Abias side obtained the victory Never was there War recorded by the Historians either amongst the Greeks or Barbarians that was pursued with so great a slaughter as the Army of Jeroboam whereby it appeared that this wonderful and admirable victory came from God For they discomfited five hundred thousand of their enemies and took their most defenced places by force and spoiled them Bethel and Ithan also with their lands and signiories belonging unto them so that as long as Abias lived The death of Abias Jeroboam was never after able to raise any power since the loss he received Abias O survived after this his victory onely for the space of three years and was buried in Jerusalem 1 Reg. 15. 9. in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors leaving twenty two sons and sixteen daughters behind him Asa King of Juda. all which he begat on sixteen Women His son Asa succeeded him in the Kingdom The year of the World 2991. before Christ's Nativity 973. whose Mother was called Maacha under his Government the Countrey H of Israel enjoyed a firm peace for the space of ten years This is that which we have observed of Abias son of Rehoboam the son of Solomon Jeroboam the King of the ten Tribes dyed likewise after he had reigned twenty two years and Nadab his son succeeded him at such time as Asa had already reigned two years The son of Jeroboam governed two years resembling his father in impiety and wickedness During these two years he made War against Gaban a City of the Philistines and encamped thereabout to surprize it by force Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. aâ— 8. but being betrayed by the treachery of a certain friend of his called Baasa the son of Machil he dyed This Baasa taking possession of the Kingdom exterminated all the posterity of Jeroboam Asa's piety and it came to pass that they of Jeroboams Race that dyed in the City 1 Kings 15. 9 ad 24. were torn in pieces and devoured by Dogs and they that I were in the fields 2 Chron. 14. 1 ad finem were made a prey unto Birds according as God had foretold by his Prophet By this means the house of Jeroboam suffered a deserved punishment for their impiety and wickedness CHAP. VI. The Ethiopians besiege Jerusalem during the Reign of Asa and are repulsed BUT Asa King of Jerusalem was a man of an upright and honest life and one that feared God neither proposed he to himself any other rule of his Actions than the Divine Law He corrected whatsoever was vicious and irregular in his Kingdom purging K it from all impiety He had an Army of three hundred thousand men of the Tribe of Juda armed with Bucklers and Javelins and two hundred and fifty thousand of the Tribe of Benjamin bearing Bucklers and Bowes After he had reigned ten years Zaraeus King of Ethiopia came out against him with a great Army of nine hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horsemen with three hundred chariots and destroyed all the Land as far as Maresa a City of Juda in which place Asa met him and set his Army in aray against him The Ethiopians war against Asa in the valley of Saphath not far from the City Where seeing the great number of the Ethiopians he besought God that he would give him the victory over his enemies because he had not come forth against so formidable a power but in confidence of his assistance who had the power to make a few men superior unto many and the feeble to overcome the mighty L Whil'st Asa prayed thus unto God 2 Chron. 14 9 ad 14. a certain sign of victory was given him so being confirmed in that God had given him a token that he would assist him he assailed his enemies and slew a great number of the Ethiopians as for the rest that were put to flight he pursued them as far as the Countrey of Gerar and after they had conquered their Enemies they sacked the City of Gerar and brought from thence a great mass of gold and much spoil with Camels Dromedaries and Herds of divers kinds of Cattel When Asa had obtained at Gods hands such a victory Asa's victory and so great riches he returned back again to Jerusalem Ver. 12. and when he drew near unto the City the Prophet Azarias came out to meet them who stayed him and
Earth This Amri dyed in Samaria and Achab his Son was his Successor Hereby a Man may easily perceive what care the Divine Majesty hath of humane affairs and how he loveth the virtuous and utterly rooteth out the vicious For the Kings of Israel through their impiety in a short and successive course the one after the other O were cut off and confounded with all their Families But Asa King of Jerusalem and the two Tribes living happily in the favor of God for his piety and justice attained to a reverend and old age and after he had reigned one and forty years he dyed a good death The year of the World 3028. before Christ's Nativity 936. and after his death Jehoshaphat his son whom he begat on his wife Abida succeeded A him who in all things that concern'd piety or fortitude seem'd to emulate and equal his Grandfather David according as it shall be declar'd hereafter But Achab King of Israel made his abode in Samaria and govern'd the Kingdom for the space of 22 years without any alteration of those ordinances which his progenitors Kings of Israel had established alias chap. 10. but that he exceeded them daily in wickedness For he imitated all their impieties Asa dieth Jâ—hoshaphat succeedeth him but especially the Apostasie of Jeroboam for he adored those Calves that were erected by him and besides that 〈◊〉 far worse impieties than the former 2 Chron. 17 1 2. He took to wife Jezabel the daughter of Iâ—â—obal King of the Tyrians and Sidonians of whom he learnt to adore the gods of her Nation for she was a busie and audacious woman â— Kings 16. 30 31. and so insolent that she feared not to build a Temple in honour of Bell the god B of the Tyrians and to plant a Grove furnish'd with all kind of Trees and to ordain Priests and false Prophets also in honour of that god The King also took delight to have these Men oftentimes about him exceeding all other Kings before him in madness and malice Jezabel To him came a certain Prophet named Elias 1 Reg. 17. 1 ad 4. sent by Almighty God that was born in Thesbon in Galaad telling him that he fore-prophesied That neither dew nor rain should fall on the Earth a long time The dearth of victuals prophesied to the Israelites until that himself who was prepar'd to depart from him should appear again unto him and binding the same with an oath for the better confirmation thereof he retir'd himself to the Southward where he liv'd by a certain River from whence he fetcht his drink for his meat was daily brought him by Ravens C Now when the River through want of rain was grown dry God commanded him to repair unto Sareptha a City not far from Sidon and Tyre and scituate in the midst between them both where he should find a Widow-woman who would furnish him with food Ver. 4 5. As soon therefore as he drew near unto the gate Crows feed Elias he saw a woman that lived by her labour gathering of sticks and God gave him to understand that it was she to whom he was sent Ver. 9 ad 16. Whereupon he came unto her and saluted her praying her that she would bring him some water to cool his thrist The widow of Sareptha entertaing Elias neither flowre nor oyl fail and as she was ready to depart he called her back again and willed her to bring him some bread also Whereupon she sware unto him that she had nothing in her house but an handful of flowre and a little oyl and that she was come forth togather sticks to the end she might bake the same and make bread D for her self and her son and when they had eaten the same they must needs perish through famine because they had not any thing more left Go said the Prophet and be of good courage and conceive better hopes and when thou hast prepared meat for me bring it for I tell thee that thy flowre shall not fail nor thy pot of oyl be empty until God send rain upon the earth When the Prophet had spoken thus she approach'd unto him and performed that which he commanded and she herself had sufficient to feed upon and she gave the rest unto her son and to the Prophet so that they wanted nothing so long as the drought continued Menander maketh mention of this great drought in the acts of Ithobal King of the Tyrians Menander of the famine during the time of Elias speaking after this manner In this time there was a season without rain from the E Month of October until October in the next year after whereupon the Prince caused prayers and supplications to be made which were follow'd with great store of Thunder He built the City of Botris in Phoenicia and Auzate in Lybia Doubtless he expressed hereby the drought that hapned in Achab's time for about that time Ithobal reigned over the Tyrians as Menander â—â—stifieth in his History The woman of whom we have spoken heretofore that entertained the Prophet seeing her son fallen sick and lying sensless as if he had been already dead or yielding up the ghost wept and brake out into so great a passion that she forbore not to say that the cause of her misfortune was in that the Prophet was come into her house and had discover'd her sins and that he had been the cause that God for her punishment had taken away her onely son But he F comforted her and willed her to be of good courage and commanded her to bring the child unto him assuring her that he would restore him to life Now when she had brought him he took the child and carried him into his lodging and laid him on his bed 1 Kings 17. 17. ad finem and cryed unto God saying That since the loss of her onely son seem'd to be but an unequal recompence unto her that had so charitably received him he therefore besought him Elias restoreth the widows son to life that he would command the soul to return into the body and restore life unto the Infant Whereupon God having compassion on the mother and being willing to gratifie the Prophet and to the intent that no man might suppose that he came unto her to prejudice her he restored the child to life beyond all expectation For which the mother gave thanks unto the Prophet saying That by this means she was thorâ—wly persuaded G that God had spoken unto him Not long after he sought out Achab according as God had commanded him to let him know that he should have rain At that time the famine H reigned over the whole Countrey The year of the World 3040. before Christ's Nativity 924. and there was great want of necessary victuals so that Men did not only faint for want of bread but the Earth also for want of rain could not bring
of Gods Oracles containeth an Italian bushel and an half But the Captain of the third part of the Army The punishment of Incredulity was he onely that enjoyed no part of this benefit for being appointed by the King to have the keeping of the gate and to restrain the multitude from headlong pressing out for fear lest thrusting one another some of them should be trodden under foot and slain he himself was trodden upon and slain according E as the Prophet had foretold for that he onely amongst the rest would not give credit to that which he had said touching the great abundance of victuals that they should enjoy When Adad King of the Syrians was safely returned to Damascus and knew that God had suffered such a confusion and fear to fall both on him and his Army 2 Kiâ—gs 8. 7. and that it had not hapned by reason that the Enemy sallied out upon him he was much discouraged to see that God was so displeased with him and through anguish and agony of mind fell sick and for that at that very time Elizeus was come unto Damascus Adad being informed thereof sent Azael who was one of his most trusty servants unto him to present him and consult with him concerning his sickness whether he should recover or F no Hereupon Azael loaded 40 Camels with the fairest and most honourable Presents Ver. 8 9. that either Damascus Elizâ—us is sent unto by Adad to enquire counsel of him aâ— touching his sickness or the Princes Royal Court afforded and repairing to Elizeus saluted him very courteously telling him That he was sent unto him by King Adad to present him and to ask counsel of him touching his malady Whether he should recover The Prophet told him That he should certainly dye but advised him not to carry the King any tydings thereof Azael hearing thereof was much grieved and Elizeus himself began to weep so that the tears fell from his eyes abundantly Ver. 11 12 13. in that he foresaw how many evils the People should suffer after the decease of Adad The Prophesie of Adads death and Azaels government And when Azael demanded him the cause wherefore he was so discomforted I weep said he for the compassion that I have of the People of Israel by reason of those calamities which they shall endure by thy means For thou G shalt kill the better sort of them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and shalt burn their strongest Cities thou shalt murther their Infants and dash them against the stones and shalt open the Womens wombs that are with child H Azael answered The year of the World 3207. before Christ's Nativity 757. What force is there in me to execute these things Elizeus said unto him That God had certified him that he should be King of Syria When Azael was returned back unto Adad he signified nothing unto him but glad tydings touching his sickness but the next day he cast a wet cloth upon him and strangled him and seized the kingdom into his own hands This Prince was a man fit for government and well-beloved among the Syrians Ver. 18. and common People of Damascus who even until this day honour Adad and Azael his Successor as gods Joram's impiety by reason of their benefits and those Temples which were built by them which adorn the City of Damascus For every day do they celebrate feasts in memory of these Kings and honour of them by reason of their antiquity not knowing that they were modern and such as reigned not past 1100 years since But Joram I King of Israel hearing of the death of Adad began to give over his fear and cast off that suspition which he had conceived of him rejoycing that yet at last he might have liberty to live in peace The other Joram King of Jerusalem for he likewise was so called as we have heretofore declared by murthering of his brethren and his fathers friends who were Governors obtained the Kingdom and became so wicked and impious as he differed in nothing from the Kings of Israel who transgressed the first laws and ordinances of the Hebrews and perverted the service of God For Athalia Achabs daughter his Wife taught him to execute divers mischiefs and amongst the rest to adore strange gods This notwithstanding God would not altogether abolish his race by reason of his promise made unto David yet he omitted not daily to introduce new K impieties The Idumaeâ—ans revolt and corrupt the ancient laws of his forefathers Mean-while it came to pass that the Idumaeans revolted Ver. 22 and slew their King who had been before-time subject unto Jehoshaphat Jorams father and in his place established another to their own liking For which cause Joram invaded Idumaea by Night with his Horses and Chariots and spoiled the Countrey round about his Kingdom without passing any further yet profited he nothing in so doing for all of them revolted from him and amongst the rest the Inhabitants of the Countrey of Labia But so great was the fury of this Man that he constrained the People to ascend the high mountains 2 Chroâ— 21. 12. and adore strange gods Yet whil'st he behav'd himself in this manner Joram's wickedness reproved by Elias'â— Letters and utterly rooted out of his thoughts the laws of his forefathers there was a Letter brought unto him from the Prophet Elias which certified L him that God would do justice upon him because he had forsaken the wayes of his forefathers and followed the impieties of the Kings of Israel constraining the Tribe of Juda and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem to forsake the service of their God to serve Idols as Achab had constrained the Israelites to do Furthermore because he had murthered his brethren and slain upright and virtuous men The Prophet likewise certifi'd him by Letters what punishment he should suffer namely the ruine of his People the death of his Wives and Children and lastly his own death which should happen unto him by a sickness in his belly wherewith he should be so tormented that his intrails strangly rotting within him should drop out and that he himself should see his misery which should be such as neither might be recover'd by medicine or should ever leave him until M he had finished his days These things did Elias denounce unto him by his Letters CHAP. III. Joram's Army is discomfited all his sons are slain except one and himself finally dyeth a miserable death NOT long after The expedition of the Arabians against Joram the Arabians that dwell towards Ethiopia confederating themselves with other Barbarians invaded Joram's Countrey and spoiled the same and ran-sacked the Kings House and slew his Sons and Daughters and left him but one onely Son called Ochozias 2 Chron. 21. 16 17 18. who escaped from his Enemies hands After this adversity he himself was strucken with a long sickness according
state CHAP. VII Athalia reigned five years in Jerusalem and after she was slain by the C High Priest Joas is proclaimed King AThalia Hedio Rufâ—â—â—us cap. 7. Achabs daughter hearing news of the death of her Brother Joram and her Son Ochozias together with he utter ruine of all the Royal posterity bethought her self to extinguish Davids memory 2 King 12. 1 2 3. and in such sort to root it out that no one of that line should remain alive to enjoy the Kingdom hereafter Athalia rooteth out all the royal blood only Joas Ochozias Son is saved which when she had concluded in her heart she began to put in execution Yet notwithstanding one of Ochozias Sons escaped her bloody hands by this means Ochozias had a sister by his fathers side whose name was Josabetha who was married to Joiada the High Priest who entring into the Kings Palace and finding Joas at that time but one year of age hidden with his D nurse among the dead she took both him and his nurse and locked them up in a closet within the Temple where Joiada her husband and she did secretly preserve them for the space of five years during which time Athalia reigned in Jerusalem over the two Tribes About the seventh year v. 4 ad 12. Joiada conferred with five Centurions and perswaded them to oppose themselves with mutual consent against Athalias proceedings Joas by Joiada's means who was the High Priest is created King and to secure the Kingdom for little Joas Whereupon giving and receiving promises of secrecy the one unto the other they confidently addressed themselves to execute their intended purposes after this manner They whom the High Priest had chosen to execute this fact went thorow all the Countrey and gathered the Priests and Levites together with all the Governours of the Tribes and afterwards returned and brought them to Jerusalem E to the High Priest who made them take an oath that they would keep secret that which he should inform them of as a thing that required secrecy and men of courage and resolution to perform the same As soon as he had assured them by oath he brought forth the little child whom he had till that time preserved and said unto them Behold your King who is of that race which as you know was chosen by God to reign over you for ever I therefore think it fit that the third part of your Guard shall keep him within the Temple and that the fourth make their watch round about the same Another company shall have the guard of the great gate that leadeth to the Palace as for the rest of the people let them remain disarmed within the Temple and suffer no armed men to enter thereinto except the Priest only He appointed also another company F of Priests and Levites to be about the King with Javelins and drawn swords charging them that whosoever durst be so bold to enter the Temple armed they should presently put him to the sword and laying all fear aside to attend the safety and guard of the Kings person They being obedient to that which the High Priest had commanded them in effect expressed their readiness whereupon Joiada opening the Arsenal which in times past was prepared by David distributed amongst the Centurions Levites and Priests all the javelins quivers and all other sort of Arms that were therein and disposed all them that were armed round about the people joyned hand in hand to hinder any one from entering in amongst them that were not of that faction Afterwards bringing out the infant Joas into the midst of the company they set the Royal Crown on his G head and Joiada after he had anointed him with oyl proclaimed him King whereupon all the people rejoyced and clapping their hands cried out God save the King H Athalia hearing this noise and applause The year of the World 3067. before Christ's Nativity 897. beyond all hope was greatly troubled and with those soldiers which she had about her she hastily issued out of the Palace and coming to the Temple the Priests admitted her as for the rest of the men of War that followed her they that by the High Priests ordinance begirt the Temple would not suffer them to enter with her v. 13. ad finem Now when Athalia saw the child standing before the Tabernacle with the Royal Crown on his head Athalias punishment she rent her garments and storming through despite she cried out and commanded that the Traitor should be slain that had thus betrayed her and sought to dispossess her of her Kingdom But Joiada called the Centurions and commanded them to carry Athalia out to the brook Cedron and there to kill her because he would not permit that the Temple should be defiled with her cursed I blood Moreover he charged them that if any one should attempt to rescue her they should kill them likewise v. 17. Hereupon they that were appointed to execute this his command took her The King and the people joyned by oath to serve God and led her without the gates of the Kings Mules and there slew her After that Athalia was in this manner executed Joiada assembled the people and the men of War in the Temple binding them all by an Oath to yield the King their faithful service and to procure the prosperity of the Kingdom Secondly he made the King swear in like manner that he would maintain the service of God and in no manner disanul Moses Laws That done they ran unto Baals Temple which Athalia and her husband Joram had built to the dishonour of God and their fore-fathers and for the honour of Achab and levelled it with the ground and put to death their High K Priest called Mathan The charge and guard of the Temple Joiada committed to the Priests and Levites v. 18. according to the other establisht by David with commandment twice a day to offer their ordinary burnt offerings The restoring of Gods service and to make perfumes according to the Law He appointed also certain of the Levites to be porters to guard the Temple to the intent that no unclean thing should enter the same unespied and after he had ordained these things with the Centurions and Governors and with all the people he took Joas and led him out of the Temple and attended him to the Palace and having placed him on the Royal Throne all the people cried God save the King and banquetted and feasted for divers dayes Thus after the death of Athalia the City was at quiet 2. King 12. 1â— ad 16. Joas was seven years old at such time as he was made King his mother was L called Sabia Joas piety during Joiâ—das time and was of the Town Bersabe He carefully observed the Laws and highly affected the service of God all his life time and when he grew to mans estate he
so doing they should be in security For the thirteenth day of the twelfth month by the Hebrews called Adar and by the Mecedonians Distre the posts that carried the Kings letters certified them that they should exterminate their enemies on that very day whereon they themselves were in danger to be exterminated The Governors likewise of the Provinces the Lords and chief Magistrates did honour to the Jews for the fear they had of Mardocehus and after the Kings Letters were published it came to pass that the Jews slew about five hundred of their enemies Within the City of Susa the King declared unto Esther the number of the dead that perished in the City Esther 9. v. 2. 5 10 13. and suspecting what might happen thorow the whole Countrey he asked her if she requested any further matter promising her that D he would see it executed she besought him that it might be lawful for the Jews to revenge themselves yet once more the next day upon their enemies and to hang Hamans ten Sons upon the gibbet which the King being loth to contradict Esther permitted so that on the 14. day of the Month Distre they slew about three hundred more of their enemies without taking the smallest portion of their goods Furthermore the Jews slew in the Countrey and in the Cities about sixty five thousand of their enemies whom they dispatched the thirteenth day of the month and solemnized the day following in mirth and feasting The Jews that were at Susan assembled themselves likewise on the fourteenth day of the month and banquetted that whole day Whence it cometh to pass that all the Jews which are throughout the world keep and solemnize E this day for a festival and send Presents the one unto the other Mardocheus also wrote unto the Jews who lived under the Empire of Artaxerxes commanding them to observe those dayes and to solemnize them willing them to charge their Successors to do the like to the end that this feast might continue for ever For since on that day they should have been destroyed by Haman they should do well if after they had escaped that danger and taken revenge on their enemies they should observe the same day to give thanks to God For this cause the Jews keep a solemn feast on these dayes and call it Purim that is to say Lotts But Mardocheus was great and powerfull with the King Governing the whole Kingdom under him and had also all the power that could be conferred on him by the Queen and for this cause the affairs of the Jews had F better success than was hoped but there was nothing during the whole reign of Artaxerxes which hapned to be of greater importanance than this which we are going to relate C. 10 per totum Puraea festa Mardocheus authority G H CHAP. VII The year of the World 3584. before Christ's Nativity 380. John the High-Priest kills Jesus his brother in the Temple Manasses the brother of Jaddus the High-Priest espouseth the daughter of Sanaballath Governor of Samaria AFter the death of Eliasib the High-Priest Judas his son succeeded in the office And Judas being dead Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. John his son obtained the place and was the cause that Bagoses General of Artaxerxes Army The revenge taken of John for slaying his brother polluted the Temple and made the Jews tributaries so I that before they could offer their ordinary and daily sacrifices they were compelled to pay for every Lamb 50 drachmes which hapned upon this occasion John had a brother called Jesus whom Bagoses favoured and promised to give him the High-Priesthood One day these two Brethren being in the Temple they fell out about the succession and the quarrel rose so high that John slew his brother Jesus in that holy place It was a thing very strange that John being a Priest should commit such an impiety against his brother and yet far more strange in that so cruel an act and an offence so impious hath neither hapned amongst Greeks nor Barbarians But God left it not unpunished in that for the same sin the people lost their liberty and the Temple was polluted by the Persians When Bagoses had intelligence that John the High-Priest among the Jews had slain his brother Jesus in the Temple Jaddus High-Priest whose brother Manasses marrieth Sanaballaths daughter he came thither in all haste and began to break K forth into bitter threats against the Jews Have you said he been so bold as to commit murther in your Temple And when he attempted to enter they hindered him Whereupon he replied Am I therefore more polluted than the body that lieth dead in the Temple And having spoken thus he entred thereinto and for the space of seven years Bagoses being thus incensed against the Jews punish'd them for murthering Jesus After that John was deceased Jaddus his son was made High-Priest who had a brother called Manasses Sanaballath sent by the late King Darius to govern Samaria for he also was of the race of the Chuteans from whom came the Samaritans knowing that Jerusalem was a famous City and that the Kings thereof wrought much trouble unto the Inhabitants of Assyria and Coelosyria he willingly marrieth his daughter Nicasis to this Manasses with L an intent that this Marriage should be as a pledge of his good will to the Nation of the Jews CHAP. VIII Alexander the great King of Macedonia passeth out of Europe into Asia destroyes the Empire of the Persians and when it was believed that he would have demolish'd the City of Jerusalem he pardons the Jews and treats them very favourably M ABout this time Philip King of Macedon died in the City of Aegaea being traiterously slain by Pausanias the son of Cerastes Alexander made King after Philip his father King of Macedon of the race of Orestes and his son Alexander succeeded him in the kingdom who passing over the Hellespont gave battel unto the huge Army of Darius near the River Granic and there obtained a famous victory And hereupon also invading the Countrey of Lydia after he had conquered Jonia and over-run Caria he fell upon the quarters of Pamphilia as is declared in another place But the Elders of Jerusalem were much displeased that Jaddus's brother who was at that time High Priest and had married a foreign Woman should be companion and associate with him in the Priesthood so as they mutined against him For they supposed that that Marriage would be but a means to animate those who had a mind to profane Marriages N and prove an inducement to others to communicate in Marriage with strangers calling to mind that the cause of their evils and first captivity was because some of them had fallen and offended by coupling themselves with Women of foreign Nations They therefore commanded Manasses either to forsake his Wife or else never more to approach the Altar The High-Priest likewise being
assistance levy the tribute from those Cities who were negligent in their payments and after he had borrowed five hundred talents of the Kings friends in Alexandria he departed into Syria As soon as he came to Ascalon he demanded the payment of the tribute at the Citizens hands which they not only refused but moreover upbraided him with injurious words Whereupon laying hold on about twenty of the principal among them he put them to death and having gathered their substances together he sent the King some thousand talents certifying him of that which he had done Ptolomy admiring L at his wisdom The Ascalonites and Scythopolitanes punished for their conâ—mpt and approving what he had done permitted him to dispose of all things at his pleasure The Syrians when they heard this began to fear the like severity and perceiving that the Ascalonites were slain by Joseph they opened their gates and received him willingly and payed him their tributes Whereas also the Scythopolitanes contumaciously refused to lay down according to order their accustomed tributes he slew the chiefest amongst them and sent the confiscation of their goods unto the King When therefore he had gathered much silver and made great gains of the farming of the tributes to the intent he might establish and make his power of longer continuance he liberally employed his gains considering with himself that it was a part of wisdom to secure his good fortune by those riches which he himself had gotten For he sent M many presents both to the King and Queen and gave liberally to their friends and favorites and to all those which had any authority or credit in the Court that he might win and bind them unto him by his benevolence And in this felicity continued he twenty two years during which time he was the father of seven children by one wife and of another called Hircanus by another Wife who was the Daughter of his Brother Solymius whom he married upon this occasion Going once to Alexandria in the company of his brother who carried with him his daughter already marriageable Josephs wealth and children intending to bestow her upon some Jew of good quality whilest he sate at meat with the King a fair Damsel coming into the room danced so well that she gained the heart of Joseph whereupon he told his brother of it praying N him since by the laws of their Countrey it was forbidden to a Jew to marry a stranger that he would hide his fault and be an assistant unto him that he might procure her for his Mistriss His brother promised him his assistance and in the mean time he dress'd up his own daughter and brought her by night unto his bed whereupon he lay with her not knowing who she was because he had drunk over much and had her company His love still increased and not knowing how to conquer his passion he told his brother that he feared the King would not bestow this Damsel on him His brother told him that he need not trouble himself promising that he should enjoy her whom he loved and that allready she was his wife letting him know the whole contrivance and how he had rather wrong his own daughter than to suffer his brother to fall into dishonor O After that Joseph had commended the kind and natural affection of his brother towards him Hericanâ—â— off-spring and towardness he took his daughter to Wife who bare him a Son called Hircanus as it hath been said Who being thirteen years old gave testimony of that natural spirit and dexerity that was in him The year of the World 3750. before Christ's Nativity 944. by reason whereof his brethren conceived an hatred against him A and the rather because he excelled them in all things and thereby instead of gaining their love he raised their jealousy and hatred Whereas Joseph was desirous to know which of his children had the ripest Judgement and understanding he sent them one after another to those masters who were most renowned for Science in that time but all of them returned back unto him rude and illiterate because they were negligent and idle Whereupon he sent Hircanus the youngest of them into a desart place distant from the high way some seven dayes journey and gave him with him three hundred couple of Oxen to sow the ground in that barren place concealing from him the yokes that should couple them together B When therefore he came unto the place and perceived that the yokes were missing he asked advice of some of the husbandmen who counselled him to send some one back unto his Father to fetch the couples But he supposing he ought not to lose so much time as would be spent in sending back a messenger he made use of a contrivance which seemed much beyond his years For he caused ten couple of the oxen to be slain and distributed the flesh amongst his workmen and made them cut the Skins and fashion couples thereof and having yoked his Oxen he caused the land to be manured according to his Fathers direction and afterwards returned home unto him Whereupon he loved him the more intirely by reason of his wisdom and the subtlety of his understanding and esteemed him as if he had no other child but him alone but this increased the malice and envy of his brothers C When news was brought unto Joseph Joseph sendeth his Son Hircanus to Ptolomey that about that time King Ptolomey was blessed with a young Son and how all the chiefest Lords of Syria and the Countries under his obeysance repaired to Alexandria in great pomp to celebrate the birth-day of the Kings Son he being of himself unable by reason of his age to go thither he asked his Children whether any one of them would go and compliement the King When therefore the eldest Sons had excused themselves and refused to undertake the journey pretending they were unfit to performe the message and understood not the manner of living at Court all of them advising that their brother Hircanus might be sent Joseph was well pleased thereat and calling for Hircanus asked him if he would go to King Ptolomy he promised to undertake the journey and told his Father he needed no great sum of D money to perform it because he should travel frugally and content himself for the whole expence with ten thousand drachms Joseph was very glad to hear of his Sons prudence and after Hircanus had kept silence for a while he advised his Father that he should not present the King with any thing out of Judea but that he should write unto his factor in Alexandria commanding him to deliver such summes of money as he thought convenient to buy that which he found to be most magnificent and of best esteem in the City Joseph imagining that perhaps he would imploy about ten talents in presents and approving of his Sons Counsel wrote unto his factor Arion who had the use
may now be called the Temple of Jupiter of Grece by which means we shall be deliver'd from all trouble and being at liberty to F attend our Affairs we may the easier and more willingly pay you the greater Tributes To this request of the Samaritans the King answer'd sending them back their own Letter King Antiochus to Nicanor Health The Sidonians of Sichem have sent us this request to which we annex unto these our Letters Since they who were sent unto us to this intent have sufficiently made appear both to us and our Council that they are utterly strangers unto those Crimes wherewith the Jews are charged and are desirous to live according to the Laws of the Grecians we absolve them in as much as concerneth this Cause and their Temple which hereafter shall be called by the name of Jupiter of G Grece We have writen to the like effect also to Apollonius their Governor Given the 46th year and the eleventh of the month Hecatomhaeon which signifieth August H CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3799. before Christ's Nativity 165. Matthias and his sons sâ—ay those that were sent by King Antiochus to compel them to offer abominable Sacrifices and after betake themselves to the Desart They are followed by many others of whom a great number are stifled in their Caves because they would not defend themselves on the Sabbath-day Matthias abolisheth that Superstition and exhorts his sons to assert their priviledges and deliver their Countrey from bondage AT this time there dwelt a certain man in Modin a village of Jury whose name was Matthias who was the son of John who was the son of Simon the son of Asmonaeus I a Priest of the rank of Joarib born in Jerusalem This Matthias had 5 sons John call'd Gaddis Simon call'd Matthes Judas call'd Machabeus Eleazar named Auran Jonathan called Aphus This Matthias oftentimes complain'd unto his sons of the deplorable condition to which their Nation was reduc'd of the ruine of their City the desolation of their Temple The zeal and piety of Matthias and his sons and the miseries of the People telling them That it were better for them to die in the defence of the Laws and Religion of their Forefathers than to live dishonourably amidst so many calamities When therefore the Commissaries deputed by the King came unto Modin to constrain the Jews to perform that which was enjoin'd them and to command them to sacrifice according to the ordinance requiring Matthias who surpassed the rest in honour and other qualities but especially in excellency of descent and nobility K to begin first of all to offer sacrifice to the end that the rest might follow him and be induc'd by his example assuring him That the King would testifie his being well-pleased with his compliance by the rewards which he would suddenly send him Matthias answer'd That he would by no means commit that Idolatry assuring them That although all other Nations of the World either for love or fear of punishment should obey the Edicts of Antiochus yet that neither he nor any of his children would be induc'd to forsake their fathers Religion As soon as he had return'd this answer he held his peace and a certain Jew stepped forth to offer sacrifice according to Antiochus ordinance An Apostate slain by Matthias wherewith Matthias was so much displeas'd that both he and his sons fell upon him and with their swords hew'd him in pieces He slew Apelles the Kings Captain likewise and the Soldiers which he brought with him to compel L the people to commit impiety And not content herewith he overthrew the â—ltar crying out with a loud voice If said he any one be affected to the Laws of his Fathers and the service of God Matthias with his sons flieth into the desart let him follow me And this said he presently retir'd into the Desart with his sons leaving the Borough utterly unpeopled The rest after his example retir'd also into the Desart with their Wives and Children and made their habitation in Caves The Kings Captains having intelligence hereof gather'd those Forces that were at that time in the Cittadel of Jerusalem and pursued the Jews into the Desart And having overtaken them they labour'd first of all to make them submit themselves and to make choice of that which was most for their advantage rather than to endanger themselves and enforce them to chastise their disobedience with blood But the Jews nothing M mov'd herewith resolv'd rather to die than commit such an impiety Whereupon they who omitted no opportunity assailed the Jews on a Sabbath-day and burnt them within their Caves who neither resisted their Enemies nor so much as closed up the mouths of their Caves forbearing to make any resistance by reason of the day resolving with themselves not to violate the Sabbath-day for we are commanded to cease from all labour on that day The Jews are slain on the Sabbath-day which slaughter maketh Matthias more wary There were therefore about a thousand stifled in their Caves with their Wives and Children Yet notwithstanding divers escaped and joined themselves with Matthias whom they chose for their Captain who declared unto them That they ought to fight on the Sabbath-day assuring them That if they did not but scrupulously observed the Law they themselves should be enemies unto themselves if perhaps the Enemy should assail them N on that day and they should not stand upon their guard for by that means they should be destroyed without resistance Hereby he persuaded them to do as he had said and until this day it is a custom among us that if need require we make no difficulty to fight on the Sabbath-day Matthias rooteth out all Idolatry Matthias therefore having assembled a sufficient number of men about him destroyed the Altars and slew those that had forsaken their Religion as many of them as he could lay hands on For divers were scatter'd here and there among the Nations for fear he commanded these to circumcise their children that were not circumcised Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. driving those from every place whom Antiochus had ordain'd to see his Law executed After that Matthias had govern'd for the space of one year he fell sick of a dangerous disease whereupon he called for his sons and spake unto them after this manner My O sons I must now go that way which is destined unto all men I therefore exhort you to follow my advice and diligently to observe it remembring the intent of your father who hath begot and nourish'd you which is to maintain the Laws of our Countrey and to establish our State which is in danger to be overthrown and hold no correspondence with those that would betray it to the A Enemy Let it appear to all the World that ye are my children indeed strengthen your hearts with courage to overcome all force and necessity And assure your selves
of the Sabbath-day to set upon him hoping that he would not defend himself on that day because of the prohibition of the Law But he contrary to his expectation encouraged his Soldiers and declared unto them how it concerned their lives to be valiant for that it was impossible for them to escape because they were shut up in the midst betwixt the River and the Enemy for they had the Enemy before them and the River on their backs As soon therefore as he had made his Prayer unto his God That it might please him to grant him the victory he set upon the Enemy with great resolution and slew a great number of them and perceiving how Bacchides assaulted him with great fierceness he stretched out his right hand to strike him but he preventing the stroke by stepping aside Jonathan and his companions leapt into the River and so saved E themselves by swimming over to the other side of Jordan because the Enemy durst not pass the Water to pursue them Whereupon Bacchides returned incontinently to the Castle of Jerusalem after he had lost about 2000 of his men After this he fortifi'd divers Cities which were before ruinated namely Jericho Emaus Bethoron Bethella Thamnata Pharathon Techoa and Gazara and built in every of them certain Towers and great and strong Walls and afterwards he planted Garisons therein to sally out upon the Jews and vex them but especially he fortifi'd the Cittadel of Jerusalem in which he kept for hostages the children of the principal men of Judea About that time there came a certain man to Jonathan and his brother Simon bringing them news The Castle of Jerâ—salem 〈◊〉 that the sons of Amareus would solemnize their Nuptials and were to lead F the Bride which was daughter to one of the noblest amongst the Arabians from the City of Gabatha and it was intended that she should be conducted with great magnificence and pomp Jonathan and his brother supposing that a fit opportunity was offer'd them to revenge their brothers death Simon revengeth his brother Johns blood on the sons of Amaraeus and to punish the Medabanes for the wrongs they had done unto their brother they took with them the greatest Forces that they could and marched towards Medaba where they lay in ambush under the side of an hill But when they saw them that led the Bride and accompanied the Bridegroom and a great Troop of their Friends likewise according to the manner of Marriages they brake out of their ambush and put them all to the sword and after they had seized their jewels and all the other booty of that company that follow'd them they retired back again joyfully G having accomplish'd their design and thus revenged they the death of their brother John upon the sons of Amareus For not only these alone but their friends that accompanied H them with their Wives and Children The year of the World 3880. before Christ's Nativity 156. were all of them slain to the number of 400. And in this manner Simon and Jonathan returned into the marshes aforesaid and abode there But Bacchides having fortified all the Garisons of Judea returned back unto the King And at that time the state of the Jews was in peace for the space nigh two years But the wicked Demetrius by the sollicitation of the fugitives sendeth Bacchides against Jonathan with an Army and such as were revolted from the Religion of the Jews seeing that Jonathan and his followers conversed in the Countrey with great assurance by reason of the Peace they sent certain Ambassadors unto King Demetrius requiring him to send them Bacchides who might apprehend Jonathan declaring that it might easily be done and that in one night breaking in upon them he might murther them all before they I were aware When Bacchides by the King's commandment came into Jewry he wrote unto all his Friends Bacchides displeased with the Apostates for that they could not surprize Jonathan killeth 50 of them both Jews and also his other Allies requiring them to lay hold on Jonathan but when by no policy nor prowess of theirs they were able to apprehend him for that Jonathan having notice of their ambushes stood upon his guard Bacchides the Macedonian was displeased with the Apostates and Fugitives objecting against them that they had deceived both the King and him and laying hold on fifty of the principal of them he put them to death But Jonathan and his brother with those of their company Jonathan and his brother besieged in Bethalaga retired themselves into Bethalaga a certain village in the desart for fear of Bacchides in which place he built Towers and Walls to keep his Garison in more security Bacchides having notice of it took the Army that he had with him and those K Jews that were his Confederates and marched forward against Jonathan and approaching those fortifications that were made by him he besieged him for many dayes But Jonathan Jonathan stealing out of the City assaileth Bacchides by night for all his siege and violence was not a whit terrifi'd but stood out valiantly and leaving his brother Simon in the City to make head against Bacchides he secretly stole out and gather'd a great number of Soldiers that favor'd his proceedings and in the night-time couragiously brake into Bacchides Camp and after he had there slain a number of his men Bacchides revengeth himself on the fugitives and is enforced to retreat he gave his brother Simon notice of his coming who as soon as he heard the noise in the Enemies Camp hastily issued forth with his Soldiers and burnt all the Macedonians Engines and made a great slaughter of them Bacchides seeing that he was circumvented by his Enemies and that both before and behind he was pressed L by them being astonished at this so unexpected an encounter was almost out of his wits so much was he troubled at the issue of his siege that fell out altogether contrary to his expectation for which cause he discharged all his choler upon those Apostates supposing he was abused by them who had sent unto the King and had caused him to be sent thither so that he thought of nothing now but raising the siege and returning home with as little dishonour as he could CHAP. II. Jonathan constraineth Bacchides to make peace with the Jews and to depart out of the M Countrey WHen Jonathan knew his intentions 1 Mac. 9. he sent an Ambassador unto him to conclude a Peace betwixt them Bacchides maketh peace with Jonathan with this condition That they should each of them deliver up those Prisoners that were taken on either side Bacchides judging the Proposal to be honourable Jonathan liveth at Macâ—mas punishing the wicked and that a fit occasion was now offered him whereupon he might raise his siege without any disgrace promised Jonathan his friendship so that both of them swore from that time forward
Ballez son to be put to death and is made King his Vices rendred him so odious to his Soldiers that they offered themselves up to Cleopatra Demetrius's Relict She married Antiochus Sother Demetrius's brother and made him be crowned King heovercame Tryphon who fled to Dora and from thence to Apamee where he was taken by force and killed Antiochus took a great liking to Simon the great Sacrificer or High-Priest I NOt long after the captivity of Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. Tryphon killed Antiochus the son of Alexander 1 Mac. 15. sirnamed Good notwithstanding he had the care and charge of his education for four years that he reigned Tryphon murthering Alexander obtaineth the Kingdom and spreading abroad a certain report That the young King in exercising himself fortuned to dye he sent his friends and familiars to the Soldiers promising them That if they would choose him King he would give them a great sum of money giving them to understand that Demetrius was a Prisoner among the Parthians and that if Antiochus his brother should obtain the kingdom he would punish them divers ways and revenge the revolt and rebellion which they were guilty of by forsaking him The Army hoping that if they bestow'd the kingdom on Tryphon Tryphon having obtained dominion discovereth his corrupt nature it would redound highly to their profit they proclaim'd him King But after he had attain'd the fulness of his desires he shewed K how malicious and wicked his nature was For when he was a private man he flatter'd the People Tryphons Army submit to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who married Antiochus Soter and committed the authority to his hands and made shew of moderation and by such allurements he drew them to do what he pleased but after he had taken possession of the kingdom he discover'd his hypocrisie and shew'd plainly that he was not unaptly call'd Tryphon that is to say Trifler or Mocker By which means he lost the hearts of the better sort and as for his Army it became so averse from him that it submitted it self to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who had at that time confin'd both her self and her children in Seleucia And whereas Antiochus sirnamed the Devout and brother to Demetrius was driven from place to place Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. and had not any City that would entertain him for fear of Tryphon Cleopatra sent unto him inviting him both to be her husband and to take possession of the kingdom L Antiochus having driven Tryphon out of Syria besieged him in Dora And hereunto did she the rather draw him partly for that she was thereunto persuaded by her friends and partly for the fear she had lest some one of Selucia should betray the City to Tryphon As soon as Antiochus was arrived in Seleucia and that from day to day his Forces encreased Tryphonâ— death he marched forth into the field and fought with Tryphon and overcame him in battel and drove him out of the higher Syria and pursu'd him as far as Phoenicia where after he had retired himself into Dora a strong and impregnable Castle he besieged him therein and sent Ambassadors to Simon the High-Priest of the Jews to confirm a friendship and confederacy with him Simon very courteously accepted his demands and presently sent Antiochus both money and victuals sufficient to furnish his Army at the siege of Dora so that in short space he was accepted amongst the number of his M entire friends Tryphon flying from Dora to Apamea was in that place besieged taken and slain after he had reigned three years CHAP. XIII Antiochus Sother's ingratitude to Simon Machabaeus They come to make War Simon gets alwayes the better and renews his alliance with the Romans BUT the innate avarice that was in Antiochus and the malignity of his nature made him forgetful of those offices and services that Simon had done him so that he sent N Sedebaeus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. his great friend with a mighty Army to invade Jewry and to surprize Simon But he having some privy intelligence of Antiochus's Treachery notwithstanding that at this time he was very old was so provoked with the injuries that Antiochus had done him that animated with courage more than became his age he went himself to the War as if as yet he had been but youthful Simon and his son expelleth Sedebaeus out of Jewry he therefore caused his son to march before with the best Soldiers of his Army and having left a number of his Soldiers in ambush in the hollow retreats of the mountains he executed all his designs without failing in any one of them so that after he had every way obtained the upper hand of his Enemies he ever after enjoyed his Government in peace during the remainder of his life and renewed likewise the confederacy with the Romans O CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3830. before Christ's Nativity 134. A Simon Machabaeus Prince of the Jews and High-Priest is betrayed and killed by his Son-in-law Ptolomey who at the same time makes his Relict and his two sons Prisoners HE governed Judea for the space of eight years and was at last slain at a banquet by the Treachery of Ptolomey his son-in-law Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. who seizing on Simons Wife and his two children 1 Mac. 6. and detaining them in Prison sent out certain of his Train besides to kill John the third son No faith nor trust no not in sons-in-law sirnamed Hircanus of Jerusalem But the young man having some inkling of their drift retired himself speedily into the City and avoided the danger that B they complotted against him assuring himself of the good will of the People in consideration of the benefits they had received at his fathers hands and the hatred that they bare unto Ptolomey who intending to enter the City-gates was sharply repulsed by the Citizens for they had already entertain'd Hircanus CHAP. XV. Hircanus Simon 's son besiegeth Ptolomey in Dagon Castle but his great love towards his mother and his brothers whom Ptolomey threatens to put to death if he storm'd the Castle made him forbear to assault it and raised the siege after which Ptolomey nevertheless put C them to death WHereupon Ptolomey retired unto a certain Castle situate beyond Jericho called Dagon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. but Hircanus was made High-Priest in his fathers stead who after he had recommended himself to God Ptolomey besieged by Hircanus knowing the power of natural affection keepeth his mother and brethren prisoners whippeth them on the walls and threatneth to throw them down by the firstling Sacrifices that he offer'd marched out against Ptolomey his brother-in-law to make War upon him Now when he was fully resolved to besiege the place whither Ptolomey was retired he had the advantage in all other things but only by the affection that he bare unto
and hated Ptolomey the son of Mennaeus Aretas led his Army into Jewry N and got a victory against Alexander near to Addida which done he retired out of Judea Aretas King of Câ—oelosyria upon a composition made between them Moreover once more Alexander marched towards the City of Dion and took it And afterwards he led his Army against Essa where Zeno had hoarded up his chiefest riches Certain Cities taken by Alexander and before he assailed the Fortress he invironed the place with three huge Walls which he built round about it and having taken it by force he marched to Gaulana and Seleucia which having overcome he made himself Master of a valley called the valley of Antiochus with the Fortress of Gamala And objecting many crimes against Demetrius the Lord of those places he dispossessed him of his government Then after he had made War for the space of three whole years he returned into his Countrey where the Jews entertained him willingly O by reason of the happy exploits which he had atchieved About the same time the Jews were already possessed of the Cities of Syria Idumaea and Phoenicia of the Tower of Straton Apollonia Joppa Jamnia Azor Gaza Anthedon Raphia Rhinocura all which were near unto the Sea and in the firm land on the one A side of Idumaea as Adora Marissa and all Samaria the Mounts Carmel and Itabyr and herewith Scythopolis Gadara Gaulanitis Seleucia Gabala and of Moab Essebon Medaba Lemba Orona Telithon and Zara Antonia of Cilicia and Pella This last City was destroy'd by them The Jews are Lords of the Cities of the Syrians Idumaeans and Phaenicians because the Inhabitants would not promise to be converted to the Religion of the Jews with divers others of the principal Cities of Syria also which were conquer'd by them After this King Alexander fell sick by the means of a surfeit and drunkenness and for the space of three years he was sick of a Quartane Ague Nevertheless he continued alwayes in the Camp Pella destroyed and razed until such time that being wearied with toyle he died on the B borders of the Countrey of the Gerasens Alexander's sickness as he besieged Regaba which is a Castle situate on the other side of Jordan The Queen perceiving that he was at deaths door and that there remained neither hope of life nor recovery she began to weep and lament and to beat her breasts because both she and her children were likely now to be left desolate and in these words she bemoaned her self unto him To whom wilt thou leave both me and thy children in the state wherein we are Or why should we survive or live one after another considering that thou assuredly knowest that the hearts of thy people are averse from us Hereupon the King comforted her and gave her this counsel That if she would assure the Kingdom both unto her self and her children she should behave her self according to his direction Alexander instructeth his wife how she should reign securely which was first to conceal his death and not to suffer his Soldiers to have notice thereof until she had taken this Castle Which done he advised her to repair to Jerusalem C in pomp and triumph and that being there she should bestow some authority upon the Pharisees The authority of the Pharisees among the people who would sound her praise and obtain her the peoples favor For said he these kind of men are in great esteem and credit with the people and can do much hurt unto those they hate and benefit them very mightily towards whom they are well affected For the people easily believeth them when they find fault with any man notwithstanding it be of envy and that himself also had incur'd the displeasure of the people for their sakes in that he had offended them When as therefore said he thou shalt arrive in Jerusalem send thou for the chiefest amongst them and pray them to come unto thee and after you have shewed them my dead body use the most plausible speech that you can and give them permission to dispose of my body as they D please whether it be their pleasure to interdict and deny me funeral in that they have received many indignities by me or whether to be revenged they will offer any ignominy to my body and promise you them that you will do nothing in the administration or government of the Kingdom but by thier advice If in this sort you frame both your manners and discourse towards them it will come to pass that I shall be buried by them with great magnificence which otherwise I could not be by any other means because they will offer no outrage to my body no although you should permit them and besides that you shall neigâ— in more assurance and quiet Having given his Wife these advertisements Alexander's death he gave up the ghost after he had reigned 27 years and lived 49. CHAP. XXIV E King Alexander leaveth two sons Hircanus who was High-Priest and Aristobulus their mother Queen Alexandra gaineth the favor of the People through the Pharisees means having given them great authority she consents through their persuasion to put the most faithful of the King her husbands servants to death and to please the rest of them she giveth them the Government of the most considerable places Tygranes King of Armenias invasion into Syria Aristobulus endeavoureth to make himself King The death of Queen Alexandra AFter that Alexander had taken the Castle of Ragaba she conferreth with the Pharisees F Alexander's funeral according to her Husbands counsel and committed unto their discretion not only that which concerned her Husbands funerals but also the government of the kingdom whereby she not only appeased the displeasure which formerly they had conceived against Alexander but also obtained their good will and friendship They came and declaimed amongst the people making an oration of the actions and deeds of Alexander lamenting everywhere that they had lost a good King Hedio Ruffinus cap. 22. and by praising him they incited the people to great grief and lamentation Hircanus and Aristobulus Alexander's sons so that they buried him with more magnificence than any King that reigned before him This Alexander left two sons behind him the one called Hircanus the other Aristobulus and by his Testament committed the government G of the kingdom to Alexandra his Wife For Hircanus was uncapable to manage affairs and rather delighted in peace and quiet and Aristobulus who was the younger H was both active and fit for government The year of the World 3890. before Christ's Nativity 74. The people were well affected towards Alexandra because she had manifestly expressed how greatly she misliked her Husbands misgovernment She appointed Hircanus High-Priest both in regard of his age as also for that by nature he was addicted to peace and quiet and committed all things to the
the third year of the Hundred seventy and seven Olympiade and in the year that Q. Hortensius and Q. Metellus called the Cretensian were Consuls at Rome Aristobulus suddenly undertook the War against Hircanus Aristobulus and Hircanus strive for the kingdom and fought with him near unto Jericho where a great number of Hircanus's followers submitted themselves of their own accord to Aristobulus Through which accident Hircanus was forced to flie to the fortress of the higher City where Alexandra Aristobulus mother had imprisoned both his Wife and Children as before is I specified The rest of the faction for fear of his brother who had gotten the victory retired themselves within the precincts of the Temple The peace betwixt Hircanus and Aristobulus where they were besieged and taken After this a Peace was Treated of betwixt both the brethren and their difference was decided in this manner That Hircanus should pass the rest of his life without medling with State Affairs and Aristobulus should reign This League was ratified between them in the Temple and confirmed with oaths conjunction of hands and embraces in the sight of all the people which being finished Aristobulus retired himself into the Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus lodging to lead a private and quiet life CHAP. II. K Antipater an Idumaean persuades Hircanus to flie and to retire himself to Aretas King of the Arabians who promiseth to re-establish him in the Kingdom of Judea BUT a certain friend of Hircanus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. by Nation an Idumaean and by name Antipater being very rich Antipater the Idumaean Hircanus 's friend and by nature both factious and industrious was as much Aristobulus's Enemy as Hircanus's Friend True it is that Nicholas Damascene writeth of this man That he was descended of the noblest amongst those Jews who returned from Babylon into Jewry Antipater of Judaea as Nicholas Damascenus implies first called Antipas but this he did on purpose to gratifie Herod Antipater's son who by a casualty became afterwards King of the Jews as we will express hereafter in time and place L convenient This Antipater was at the first called Antipas according to his fathers name who as it is reported was made Governor of all Idumaea by King Alexander and his Wife and afterwards made a League with the Arabians Gazeans and Ascalonites corrupting them and insinuating himself into their favors by divers great Presents bestowed upon them This young Antipater considering with himself what Aristobulus power was and fearing lest some mischief might befall him through the hatred the young King had conceived against him he communicated with certain of the greatest amongst the Jews and secretly and cunningly incensed them against Aristobulus Antipater incenseth the Princes of the Jews against Aristobulus telling them That they had done amiss both to see and suffer Aristobulus to detain the Kingdom unjustly in his hands and to dispossess his elder brother Hircanus to whom by right of inheritance it did belong He likewise M accosted and sounded Hircanus ordinarily with these words telling him That he lived in danger of his life and would doubtless be snared except he sought his own security and fled his evident danger alledging That Aristobulus 's friends would never cease to consult how they might shorten his life to the end that he might live in more security To these instigations of his Hircanus gave small credit for that of his own nature he was courteous and could not easily be induced or seduced by detractions but this negligence and carelesness in him was the cause that he was accounted a silly man On the contrary side Aristobulus was of a different and more heroick nature being more active in performance and careful to prevent Now although Antipater saw that Hircanus made small account of his instigations yet N ceased not daily to invent and propose new surmises and accusations urging Aristobulus's hatred and practice to murther him and prevailed so by his importunity that at last he persuaded him to flie to Aretas King of Arabia promising him That in so doing he would give him both aid and assistance Hircanus was the more easie to be induced to follow Antipater's advice for that Arabia was adjacent to Jewry Whereupon he first of all sent Antipater to Aretas to take assurance of him that he should not betray him into his Enemies hands if he should submit himself unto him and require his assistance When Antipater had received his assurance from the King he returned to Jerusalem unto Hircanus and not long after that took him away with him and departed the City by night and afterwards with great journies arrived at Petra where Aretas kept his Royal Court. And being O very familiar with the King he entreated him to re-establish him in the Kingdom of Jewry and did so much by his importunity and the Presents which he gave him that he H persuaded Aretas to attempt the matter The year of the World 3900. before Christ's Nativity 64. Whereupon Hircanus promised That if he confirmed him again in his Royal dignity he would upon the recovery of his Realm restore unto him those twelve Cities which his father Alexander had taken from the Arabians the names whereof are these that follow Medaba Nabello Livias Tharabasa Agalla Athona Zoara Orona Narissa Rydda Lusa Oryba Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. CHAP. III. Aristobulus is enforced to retire into the Castle of Jerusalem the King Aretas besiegeth him The cruelty of some Jews who stoned Onias a just man to death The punishment which I God inflicted upon them for it ARetas Aretas maketh War against Aristobulus and inforceth him to flie to Jerusalem induced by these promises was content to send forth an Army against Aristobulus and himself in person conducted in that expedition 50000 Men Foot and Horse and had so much the upper hand of his Enemy that divers after this victory of their own accord submitted themselves to Hircanus and Aristobulus perceiving himself to be destitute of all his friends and followers The Arabian besiegeth Aristobulus in the Temple fled unto Jerusalem The King of Arabia followed him with all expedition and besieged him in the Temple in this siege the common people assisted Hircanus neither were there any but the Priests only that stuck to Aristobulus's side The Jews 〈◊〉 into Egypt Whereupon Aretas drew up the Forces he had and busily set the Army K both of Jews and Arabians about the siege Whil'st these things were thus the feast of unleavened bread which we call the Passeover was at hand and the Princes of the Jews forsaking their Countrey were fled into Egypt About that time a certain man called Onias such an one who for his virtue was beloved of God and in times past had by his devout prayers and supplications in a time of drought obtained rain from God hid himself perceiving that this sedition would be
City of Alexandria is assigned to the Jewish Nation They have likewise their peculiar Magistrate who governeth the people endeth F and decideth their differences and maintaineth their contracts and ordinances as if he governed in his own Commonwealth By this means this Nation hath fortified and established it self in Egypt for that the Jews had their original amongst the Egyptians and for that Judea is near unto Egypt from whence the Jews are descended And as for Cyrene they have entred it in that it bordereth with that Countrey which is under the obedience of the Egyptians in like manner as Judea doth or rather for that in times past it appertained to the same Kingdom Thus far Strabo After that Crassus had disposed all things according to his own pleasure Crassus slain in Parthia he removed and marched forward to make War against the Parthians Cassius resisteth the Parthiaâ—s where both he and all his Army were destroyed as is declared in another place As for Cassius he retired himself into G Syria and took possession thereof to the end he might affront the Parthians who being A proud of their victory lately obtain'd made excursions so far and coming to Tyre he at length arrived in Judea where upon his first entrance he took the City of Tarichaea and led away from thence 30000 Prisoners He put Pitholaus also to death for having maintain'd Aristobulus's faction All which he did by Antipater's procurement and persuasion Antipater's Wife and Children who was in great credit with him and who also at that time was highly esteem'd amongst the Idumaeans amongst whom he married his Wife who was descended of one of the most famous families of Arabia her name was Cypron by whom he had these four sons Phasaelus and Herod who after was made King Joseph and Pheroras and one daughter called Salome This Antipater also made alliance with other Princes and especially with the Arabian to whose custody he committed his children during the time B he made War against Aristobulus But Cassius gather'd another Army and marched towards Euphrates to go against the Parthians as it is specified and recorded by other Writers CHAP. XIII Pompey causeth Alexander to be beheaded Aristobulus's son Philippion son of Ptolomey Mennaeus Prince of Chalcis marrieth Alexandra Aristobulus's daughter His father Ptolomey putteth him to death and marrieth this Princess C SHortly after this Caesar being Lord of Rome Pompey and the Senate being fled on the other side of the Ionian Sea Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. al. 15. set Aristobulus at liberty determining to send him into Syria with two Legions as being a sufficient man to govern the State-affairs in those parts Nevertheless Aristobulus failed of his hopes and authority he expected at Caesar's hands Aristobulus delivered out of Prison is poysoned For Pompey's adherents prevented and poyson'd him so that he was buried by those of Caesar's faction His body was kept embalm'd with honey for a long time until that Antonius sent it into Jewry Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. al. 16. to be entomb'd amongst the Kings and Princes Scipio by Pompey's commandment caused Alexander Aristobulus sons head to be cut off charging him with some misdemeanors which he had committed against the Romans he was executed in Antioch The slaughter of Aristobulus's son Ptolomey the son of Mennaeus who govern'd in Chalcis at D the foot of the mount Libanus took his brothers and sent his son Philippion to Ascalon to Aristobulus's Wife commanding her to send her son Antigonus and his daughters one of which called Alexandra was beloved by Philippion and married by him but afterwards he being slain Pompey Philippions father married her and continued the careful maintenance of his brother and sisters-in-law CHAP. XIV Antipater by Hircanus's order assisteth Caesar mightily in the Egyptian War and sheweth much valor E AFter Pompey's death Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. al. 17. and that Victory which Caesar had obtained against him Antipater Governor of Judea by the commandment of Hircanus was very useful unto Caesar Antipater gathereth Soldiers out of Syria for Caesar's service For whereas Mithridates the Pergamenian brought him certain supplies and could not bring them on by reason of an arm of Nilus passing through Pelusium but was constrained to stay at Ascalon Antipater came unto him and brought with him 3000 Soldiers and dealt so with the Princes of Arabia to associate them with Caesar that by his means all they of Syria gave him their assistance and never altered their affection that they bear unto Caesar These were Jamblicus a great Lord and Ptolomey his son and Tholomaeus the son of Sohemus dwelling on the mount of Libanus and well nigh all F the Cities Mithridates being departed from Syria came to Pelusium where being repulsed and excluded by the Citizens he besieged the City Antipater in this War behav'd himself valiantly Antipater helpeth Mithridates to take Pelusium and after he had beaten down a pane of the Wall he first of all set forward to enter the City Whil'st Pelusium was in this estate the Jews that inhabited Egypt in the Countrey of Onias The Jews of Onias's Countrey are confederated with Caesar would neither grant passage to Antipater nor Mithridates that marched towards Caesar But Antipater who was of their Nation persuaded them to take their parts shewing them the Letter of the High-Priest Hircanus in which he invited them to be friends unto Caesar and exhorted them to furnish his Army with whatsoever they stood in need of Memphis in Egypt so that seeing that Antipater and the High-Priest were agreed together they submitted themselves They that dwelt round about Memphis G hearing that they were thus united sent for Mithridates also unto them who came and received them into his favor CHAP. XV. The year of the World 3917. before Christ's Nativity 47. A Antipater continueth to acquire great reputation in the Egyptian War Caesar cometh to Syria establisheth Hircanus in the High-Priesthood and conferreth great honours upon Antipater notwithstanding Antigonus Aristobulus's sons complaints WHen he was come to a place called Delta The conflict of the Egyptians with Mithridates at Delta he fought with the Enemies in a place which is called the Camp of the Jews in which battel Mithridates led the right Wing and Antipater the left Being hotly engaged the Wing that Mithridates commanded Alias cap. 18. began to give ground and was like to have been utterly routed had noâ— Antipater B running with his Soldiers along the River side obtained the upper hand of his Enemies by putting the Egyptians that were Conquerors to flight and restored Mithridates And pursued them so far that he got their Camp and called Mithridates to take part of the prey that he had recover'd from the fugitive Enemy Mithridates commendeth Antipater's service to Caesar Mithridates lost 800 of his men in this battel but Antipater
Caves Hedio Ruffinus chap 25. but fear constrained them to hold themselves quiet But a certain Souldier having girt his Sword by his side Herod leadeth his Soldiers against those theeves that held the caves and taken hold of the chain with both his hands whereto the Coffer was fastned slid down as far as the entry of the Cave and being displeased that none came out he shot divers Arrows at those that were within I Herod letteth down his Souldiers from the top of the mountain in Coffers and wounded them and after that with his hook he drew those unto him who resisted and tumbled them down headlong from the steep Rock which done he rushed in upon those that were within the Cave and slew many of them and afterwards returned and rested himself in his Coffer Divers hearing the groans of those that were wounded were surprised with fear and dispair of their life but the nights approach was the cause that the matter was not fully accomplished and many of them getting notice of the Kings free pardon by a Herauld submitted themselves The next day they renewed and continued the same manner of fight and divers went out of their Coffers to fight at the enterances of the Caves throwing in fire which there being much fewel in the Caves did great execution Within these Caves there was a certain old man apprehended K A certain old man killeth his wife and seven of his sons and at last casteth himself headlong from the Rock with his wife and seven Sons who being desired by them that he would suffer them to go and submit themselves to their enemies took up the entrey of the cave and as his Sons advanced to get out he slew them all and after them his Wife and at last when he had cast their dead bodies down the Rocks he threw himself down headlong after them prefering death to slavery Yet before his death he reviled Herod bitterly and upbraided him with his ignoble extraction and although Herod who saw all that which had happned stretched out his hand unto him for pardon yet he would not give ear to him and by this means were all these Caves entred and the theeves taken Now when the King had established Ptolomey General over the Army in that Countrey Herod retireth toward Samaria to fight with Antigomus he retired into Samaria with six hundred horse and three thousand foot with a resolution L to fight Antigonus and to end their quarrel But Ptolomey had but very slender success in his Government for they that before-time had troubled the Countrey of Galilee sallied out upon him and defeated him After which execution they fled into the Marishes and unaccessible places where they robbed and spoiled all the Countrey But Herod returning and setting upon them punished them for he slew some of them and the rest were constrained to flie into strong places where he besieged them and entring their fortresses perforce put them to the sword and destroyed their fortifications and having brought this rebellion to an end he condemned the Cities to pay him the sum of one hundred talents Mean while Pacorus was killed in the War and the Parthians were defeated with him Herod punisheth the Rebels in Galilee which was the cause that Ventidius sent Machaeras to succor M Herod with two legions and 1000 horse by Antonius order corupted by Antigonus mony Ventidius overcometh Pacorus and the â—arthians in baâ—â—el But Machaeras was notwithstanding Herods disswasion yet he went to him alleadging that he did it to look into his actions But Antigonus suspecting his sudden approach entertained him not but caused him to be darted at and driven thence giving him to understand by his entertainment what opinion he had of him who at that time perceived plainly that Herod had given him good counsel Machaeras killeth many Jews and that himself had failed in misbelieving his advice for which cause he returned to the City Emaus and killed all those Jews whom he met withall in the way Herod resolving to depart to Antonius and to accuse Macharas is reconciled by him and leaveth his brother Joseph with an army behind him being much troubled at it whether friends or enemies he was so highly displeased at that which had happned Herod came to Samaria resolving with himself to go to Antonius to complain of these grievances and to tell N him that he had no need of such associates who did him more harm than his enemies whereas of himself he was able to make good his War against Antigonus But Machaeras hasted after him entreating him to stay and to go no further on that journey and prayed him to leave his brother Joseph behind him to go with him against Antigonus By these perswasions and instant intreaties of Machaeras he was somewhat appeased so that he left his brother Joseph behind him with an Army charging him no way to hazard his fortune Herod repaireth to Antonius at the siege of Samaria and in the way killeth many Barbarians or to fall at odds with Machaeras As for himself he hasted toward Antony who at that time besieged Samotsata a City situate near unto Euphrates having with him an Army of his associates both horse and foot When Herod was arrived in Antioch he found divers men assembled there who were desirous to go and seek out Antony O but they durst not advance for fear the Barbarians should set upon them in their journey Herod encouraged them and offered himself to be their guide When they were come two dayes journy off Samosala the Barbarians laid an ambush for them and had barred up the way with Hurdles and had likewise hidden some Horsemen thereabouts until the A Passengers had recover'd the Plain Now when the foremost were past the ambush consisting of about some 500 Horsemen they suddenly charged Herod who was in the Rear when they had broken the first Ranks whom they had met Herod with his Troop that was about him immediately repulsed them and after he had encouraged his followers and whetted them on to the fight he did so much that he made those that fled to face about and fight so that the Barbarians were put to the sword on all sides The King also pursu'd them so long until at last he recover'd that which had been taken by them which was a certain number of Sumpter-horses and Slaves But being charged afresh by others and they in greater number than those who encountred him at first he likewise B rallying his Forces together charged and overcame them and killing divers of them he secured the way to those that follow'd after who all of them acknowledg'd him for their preserver When he drew near unto Samosata Herod was honourably entertained by Antonius and his Host Antonius sent out the best of his Army to meet and honour him As soon as he came to Antonius's presence he entertain'd him kindly
their opinions and receive Herod yet this opinion of his was not answerable to equity For notwithstanding whatsoever violence he did devise yet could they not be induced to call him King in so high esteem and account held they their former King But Antony supposed that that infamy would obscure his renown and lessen the general hatred they bare to Herod See here what Strabo writeth As soon as the High-Priest Hircanus who was Prisoner among the Parthians heard that Herod had taken possession of the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus câ—ap 2. he returned back unto him Hircanus hearing tydings that Herod had obtained the Kingdom returneth unto him being deliver'd after this manner following Barzapharnes and Pacorus Princes of the Parthians had taken Hircanus who was first High-Priest and afterwards King and with him Phasaelus Herods brother and led them away Prisoners with them into their own Countrey Phasaelus I not able to endure the dishonour of imprisonment and preferring an honourable death before a reproachful and ignominious life murther'd himself as I have heretofore declar'd CHAP. II. Phraates King of the Parthians letteth his Prisoner Hircanus return into Judea Herod to make sure of him contributeth hereunto and giveth the High-Priesthood to a man of no account Alexandra Herod's Mother-in-law and Aristobulus's Mother addresseth her self to Cleopatra to obtain this function for her son through Antonius's means Herod K discovereth it gives that employment to Aristobulus and feigneth to be reconciled to Alexandra PHraates Hircanus heighly honoure in Babylon by the Jews King of Parthia understanding how nobly Hircanus was descended who was brought Prisoner unto him entertain'd him graciously and for this cause drew him out of Prison permitting him to converse in Babylon in which place there were a great number of Jews who honour'd Hircanus very much and no less than their High-Priest and King The like also did all they of that Nation inhabiting as far as Euphrates which did not a little content Hircanus But after that he was advertised that Herod was possessed of the Kingdom Hircanus leaving his Countrey expecteth favor at Herods hands he transferred his hopes another way being of his own nature tenderly L affected towards his friends expecting that one day Herod would requite him for that he had deliver'd him from death whereunto he was condemned and in danger likewise of the penalty and punishment He began therefore to consult with the Jews about his journey who in way of duty and love came to visit him and who prayed him and importuned him to continue with them offering him all service and honour assuring him that he should in no less manner be respected among them than their High-Priest and King yea in far higher regard than he might any wayes be in his own Countrey by reason of the maim he had in his body through Antigonus's tyranny alledging that Kings do not ordinarily call to their remembrance those pleasures that they have received in their mean condition because that with their estates they change both their manners M and inclinations But notwithstanding all these or such like Allegations yet could not Hircanus be withdrawn from the desire he had to repair homeward Herod also wrote unto him That he should require Phraates and the Jews that inhabited his Kingdom in no sort to envy his felicity in that he should partake with him both in dignity and royalty alledging that the time was now come wherein he might acknowledge the kindness he had received by being heretofore nourished and preserved by him Samaralla Herods Ambassador to Phraates With these Letters he sent Samaralla likewise in quality of an Ambassador to Phraates furnish'd with great and rich Presents endeavouring by that means to win him that he in no wayes should hinder his good intent towards one that had so highly deserved it at his hands yet his protestations were not answerable to his pretence For insomuch as he governed not with that uprightness N which became a just King he feared lest some alteration might befall him according to his demerits for which cause he sought to get Hircanus under his power or at least wise to dispatch him out of his life which he afterwards performed When therefore Herod had persuaded the Parthian to dismiss Hircanus Herod highly honoureth Hircanus and the Jews to furnish him with money sufficient to bear his expence in his journey he received him with all honour In common Assemblies he gave him alwayes the highest place and in the time of Festivals he made him alwayes sit down before him and the more closely to deceive him he called him brother Herod giveth the High-Priesthood to Anâ—nel endeavouring by all means wholly to take away all colour and suspition of treachery neither omitted he any other stratagems whereby he might any ways further or promote his cause and yet by these means occasioned no small sedition in his O own family For fearing lest any one among the Nobility should be established High-Priest he sent to Babylon for a certain man of a base extraction called Ananel and gave him the Priesthood For which cause Alexandra grew suddenly displeased not being able to endure that afront The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 34. This woman was Hircanus daughter and Alexanders wife A who was King Aristobulus son who had two children by her husband the one very beautiful who was called Aristobulus the other was Mariamne who was likewise fair and married to Herod She was highly displeased to see her son so much undervalued that during his life another was called to the honor of High-priesthood for which cause she wrote unto Cleopatra by the means of a certain Musician beseeching her to beg the High-Priesthood at Antonius hands for her son Alexandra solliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the High Priesthood for her son Which Cleopatra did most willingly but Antonius made little reckoning of those suits A certain friend of his called Gellius who was come into Jewry about certain of his affairs and who had seen Aristobulus fell in love with him by reason of his beauty and admiring likewise his tall stature and allured by Mariamnes admirable beauty he openly protested that he accounted Alexandra B a happy Mother in her children and discoursing to this effect with her he perswaded her to send the pictures of her two children to Antonius for that if he should but behold them he would refuse him nothing wherein he should request his friendship Alexandra perswaded by these words â—ent their pictures unto Antonius Gellius also made the matter more wonderful telling him that the children seemed rather to be ingendred of no mortal strain Antonius requireth Aristâ—bulus at Herods hands but by some divine power endeavoring as much as in him lay that Antonius might be allured to affection them Who supposing it to be a matter ill beseeming him to send for Mariamne who was married
finishing thereof and they celebrated a great Feast in honour of the restauration of the E Temple Then did the King offer up three hundred Oxen unto God and the rest of them each one according to his ability offered so many sacrifices that they can hardly be numbered About the very time of the Celebration of this Feast in the honour of the Re-edification of the Temple the Kings day of Coronation fell out which he was wont to solemnize every year with great joy A Conduit under ground from the Castle Antonia and for this two-fold occasion the solemnity and joy was far more sumptuous and compleat The King also caused a Conduit of Water to be made and conveyed by pipes under ground drawing it from the Castle Antonia unto the East gate of the Temple near to which he builded another Tower also to the end that by the Conduits he might ascend privily unto the Temple if haply F the people should practise any insurrections against his Royalty During the building of the Temple it never rained by day It is reported that during the building of this Temple it never rained by day time but only by night to the intent the work might not be interrupted and our Predecessors have testified no less unto us Neither is this thing incredible if we attentively consider those other effects of Gods Providence G A THE SIXTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Sixteenth Book 1. Herod maketh a Law which maketh him be reputed a Tyrant He goeth to Rome and brings back his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus his Sister Salome and those C of her Faction endeavour to render them odious to him 2. How Herod gave Wives unto Alexander and Aristobulus And how nobly he received Agrippa in his Dominions 3. Herod goeth to meet Agrippa at Pontus with a Fleet by which he re-enforceth his Army and returning back with him a great part of his way doth much good to several Towns 4. The Jews who lived in Jonia complain to Agrippa that the Grecians will not let them enjoy their Privileges D 5. How Herod returned into Judea and freed his Subjects from the payment of the fourth part of the Taxes 6. Salome Herod's Sister endeavoureth to ruine his two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus whom he begot of Mariamne He sends his Son Antipater whom he had by his first Wife to Rome 7. Antipater doth so incense his Father against his Brothers Alexander and Aristobulus that Herod bringeth them to Rome and accuseth them before Augustus for having attempted to poyson him 8. Of Alexander's defence and how the two Brethren were reconciled to their Father E Herod 9. Herod having compleated the building of Cesarea dedicateth it to Augustus and entertaineth the people with stately Plays and Past-times He causeth other Towns to be built with several Monuments His extream Liberality to Strangers and his excessive rigour to his own Subjects 10. Testimonies of the Roman Emperour's Affection towards the Jews 11. King Herod causeth David's Sepulchre to be opened to get money out of it for which God punisheth him strange Divisions and Troubles in his Family The Cruelties which this Prince's mistrustfulness and Antipater's malice causeth together with his Son Alexander's Imprisonment F 12. How Archelaus King of Cappadocia reconciled Alexander to his Father 13. Herod declareth War against the Arabians for protecting Trachonites Robbers 14. Syllaeus will perform nothing of what Augustus's Lieutenants had ordained but goeth to Rome to him Herod entreth into Arabia with an Army and taketh the Castle where the Trachonites were retired 15. Syllaeus doth so incense Augustus against Herod that he refuseth to give Audience to his Ambassadors neither will he admit those whom Aretas King of the Arabians sent This Aretas succeeded Obodas whom Syllaeus caused to be poysoned that he might G get the Kingdom Herod sends the third Embassage to Augustus 16. Herod more incensed than ever against his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus by several Aspersions causeth them to be imprisoned Augustus is made sensible of Syllaeus's wickedness condemns him to die confirms Aretas in the Kingdom of Arabia he H is sorry for having so ill an opinion of Herod adviseth him to call a great Assembly at Berite where his Sons after new complaints given in against them are to be judged 17. How Herod's Sons were condemned in the Council of Berytum CHAP. I. Herod maketh a Law which maketh him be reputed a Tyrant He goeth to Rome and I brings back his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus his Sister Salome and those of her Faction endeavour to render them odious to him AMongst the rest of the affairs of the Commonwealth The year of the World 3955. before Christ's Nativity 9. the King thought it behoved him to redress and hinder private injuries both in the City and Countrey For the which purpose he made a new law unlike to the former that it should be lawful for such as were Wall-breakers Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. to be sold for slaves without the limits of his Kingdom Which Law did not seem so much to intend the punishment of Malefactors Herod made a new Law that wall-breakers should be sold into Bondage out of the Kingdom as the dissolution of his K own Countrey customs For to serve Forreign Nations who lived not after the manner of the Jews and to do whatsoever they commanded them was more prejudicial unto Religion than unto the parties convicted of that fact Wherefore it was sufficiently already in the old ancient Laws provided for the punishment of such people The punishment of theft according to the law of Moses Exod. 1. 22. to wit that a thief should restore four times as much as he stole Which if he was not able to do that then he was to be sold not unto strangers nor into perpetual bondage but only for seven years at which time he should again be set free So that the common people did interpret this new Law to set down an unjust punishment Deut. 12. 15. and rather to savour of tyranny than of Princely dignity and to be enacted not without contempt of their ancient Laws So that L for this cause all men spake very ill of the King At the same time Herod sailed into Italy to salute Caesar Herod sailed into Italy and brought home his Sons from Rome and to see his Children living at Rome Where Caesar receiving him very courteously permitted him to take his Sons home with him as being now sufficiently instructed in the Liberal Arts. Who returning into their Countrey were joyfully received of all their Countrey-men both for that they were of comely stature and of courteous behaviour and in their very carriage did shew that they came of Kingly lineage Salome and others falsely accused Herod his Sons and made their father hate them Which things moved Salome
and the rest by whose false accusations their Mother Mariam was destroyed to envy them fearing their power and verily perswading themselves that they would be revengers of their Mother's injuries So taking hereby occasion they began also falsely to accuse M them as misliking their Father who had caused their Mother to be slain and as though they had an aversion from him whose hands were imbrued in their Mother's blood For they knew that by such calumniation they might draw them into hatred and avert their Father's good will from them Yet did they not carry these their inventions to the King's ears but contented themselves to bruit them abroad amongst the common people which so in the end coming to his hearing would cause in him such enmity and hatred against his Sons that it would overcome in him all natural affection CHAP. II. N How Herod gave Wives unto Alexander and Aristobulus and how nobly he received Agrippa in his Dominions BUt the King as yet mistrusting nothing Herod married his Son Aristobulus to Bernice Salome's daughter and Alexander to Glaphyra the daughter of the King of Cappadocia moved with a Fatherly care over them had them in such esteem as reason did require and for that they were now come unto man's estate he married them both Unto Aristobulus he gave Bernice the daughter of Salome and unto Alexander Glaphyra the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia Which done understanding that Marcus Agrippa was returned out of Italy O into Asia he went unto him thither and invited him into his Kingdom requesting him to accept of his Friend's entertainment Which Agrippa yielding unto Herod omitted A nothing that might delight him For he received him in his Cities newly built shewing him the fair houses and goodly Edifices entertaining him and the rest of his friends and followers with all sorts of delights pomp and magnificence as well at Sebaste as at the Haven of Caesarea and in the Castles he built to wit Alexandrium Herodium and Hircania Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. He also brought him to Jerusalem where all the people met him apparelled in such rich and brave attire as they were accustomed to adorn themselves withal Herod carrieth Marcus Agrippa all about his Kingdom when they celebrate their Festivals and with many joyful acclamations received and saluted him Agrippa offered an hundred head of fat Oxen to God and feasted all the people and although he would willingly have made a longer abode there Agrippa offered an hundred beasts at yet Winter drawing on fearing tempestuous weather he was forced to sail away B with all speed to Jonia both he and his friends being honoured with very great presents CHAP. III. Herod goeth to meet Agrippa at Pontus with a Fleet by which he reinforceth his Army and returning back with him a great part of his way did much good to several Towns HErod having past the Winter at home Herod sailed unto Agrippa to Chius and gave a great sum of money to re-edifie the porch and hearing that Agrippa was with an Army C minded to go to Bosphorus the Spring time being now at hand he sailed unto him again and taking his course by Rhodes and Cous he came towards Lesbus thinking there to find Agrippa But by a contrary wind he was driven from thence and forced to stay a while at Chius where many privately coming to salute him he rewarded them with Princely rewards and perceiving that the City gate destroyed in the Wars against Mithridates was not yet repaired but still lay ruinated for want of money to repair it he gave so much money as largely sufficed to restore it to the former beauty and bigness exhorting them with all expedition to re-edifie and adorn the City as it was in times past Herod found Agrippa at Synope a City of Pontus and was by him honourably entertained At last the wind changing he sailed first to Mitylene and then to Bizantium and there understanding that Agrippa had already past the Rocks D of Cyanes he followed him with all speed and overtook him at Synope a City of Pontus Who contrary to Agrippa's expectation arrived there with his Navy Herod's coming was very grateful unto Agrippa and with especial affection they embraced one another It was an evident sign of friendship that the King omitting his own private business would now come unto him in so convenient a time Wherefore Herod abode still with him in the Army always present either to assist him with counsel or to bear part of the Labour with him Herod still present with Agrippa insports and serious affairs He was also present with him at such times as he meant to be merry being his only Counsellor in difficult matters for the benevolence he bare unto him and also in all his mirth as being one whom he honoured Agrippa having dispatcht the business in Pontus for which he came it pleased him not to return E by Sea Agrippa went by land to Ephesus but to go by Paphlagonia Cappadocia and the greater Phrygia and so they came by land to Ephesus and there taking ship they came to Samos And in that whole Journey almost in every City he gratified Herod at his entreaty relieving many of their necessities Herod helped many in the way with money And Herod did in the way help many with money that wanted and spent much upon his Guests and moreover if any one had any suit unto Agrippa Herod was the only man that might obtain his suit for him And though Agrippa also was both nobly minded and easily entreated to grant all such things as were not prejudicial to any man Herod was a Mediator for many to Agrippa yet was it a matter of no small moment and importance in King Herod to incite him to use beneficence being even of his own accord forward enough to put the same in practice The Citizens of Ilia are reconciled to Agrippa and they of Chius obtain a privilege For first of all he reconciled Agrippa being angry against F the Iliensians and himself paid the money that the people of Chius were indebted unto Caesar's receivers obtaining for them an immunity And he also assisted and pleasured others in whatsoever they needed CHAP. IV. The Jews who lived in Jonia complain to Agrippa The Jews of Jonia complain unto Agrippa of the injuries offered them by those Countrey-men that the Grecians will not let them enjoy their Privileges G WHen they came into Jonia a great multitude of the Jews inhabiting that Countrey being gathered together expected him to speak unto him and finding oportunity they complained unto him of the wrongs that those Countrey-men offered them The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 8. not permitting them to live according to their Laws and that upon Festival H days they pulled and haled them before their Tribunal and that they would not permit
new benefits seeing such friendship and familiarity between thee and our King For we have understood by our Nation that dwell in Judaea how many offerings thou didst there sacrifice unto our God and with what vows thou honouredst him how thou feastedst the people and wast delighted in that mutual hospitality All which was an argument of the friendship confirmed between so great a Roman Prince and the Nation of the Jews even in Herod's house By all these we humbly request in the presence of the King nothing but this only that thou wouldest not permit us deceitfully to be defrauded of that which you your selves have already granted unto the Nation of the Jews Now no one of the Greeks offered to oppose himself against that which Nicholaus D did speak for this was no contention to a Judge concerning their right but only a deprecation and supplication to avoid injury Neither did they deny it only thus they excused themselves that the Jews dwelling amongst them were troublesome unto them But the Jews shewed themselves to be free Citizens and to live according to their Religion and Laws of their Countrey without any man's molestation or injury Wherefore Agrippa understanding that they were wronged Agrippa confirmeth the Jews privilege answered thus That he would not only gratifie them for his friend Herod's sake but also for that they seemed to him to demand a reasonable matter Wherefore though they had demanded a greater thing of him he would have granted them whatsoever he might without prejudicing the people of Rome And now seeing they only demand of him that which E already the Romans had granted unto them he would ratifie and confirm unto them the benefit which they had already received at the Romans hands and provide that henceforth no man should molest them for living according to the institution and ordinances of their Countrey Having thus spoken he dismissed the Assembly Then Herod arising Agrippa departed from Lesbus thanked him in all their names And then after mutual embracing one another they departed taking their leaves from Lesbus CHAP. V. F How Herod returned into Judea and freed his Subjects from the payment of the fourth part of the Taxes THe King having a prosperous wind Herod returned to Jerusalem and made a speech unto the people and let them understand the cause of his journey and remitted the fourth part of his Tribute within a few days after arrived at Caesarea from thence he went to Jerusalem and calling together all the people as well the Citizens as also the Countrey people there present there he told them the cause of his journey and how he had obtained immunities for the Jews living in Asia that they might converse there among the Gentiles without molestation Then he told them what felicity they had received and enjoyed by his reign seeing that his greatest care was so to provide for his Subjects that they might want nothing And to gratifie them G the more he told them that he would freely remit the fourth part of the Taxes and Tribute they were to pay for the year past The people greatly comforted as well with the King's speech unto them as with his liberality departed joyfully wishing the King all happiness CHAP. VI. H Salome Herod's Sister endeavoureth to ruine his two Sons Alexander and Aristobulus whom he begot of Mariamne He sends his Son Antipater whom he had by his first Wife to Rome IN the mean time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. al. chap. 7. the discord of his house was daily encreased by reason of Salome's inveterate hatred against Alexander and Aristobulus she presumed so much on her success against their mother that she hoped to leave none of her children alive to revenge her death Salome persecuteth Mariamne's children with natural hatred And she wanted no occasion for it seems the two young Princes were not I very well affected towards their Father partly for the memory of their Mother's death and partly also for that they desired the Kingdom So that they upbraiding Salome and Pheroras did renew their old hatred against them who daily practised by all means they could Alexander and Aristobulus being by Salome and Pheroras drawn into bad words are by them accused to their Father Herod to overthrow them The young men also hated them but not with the like hatred that they were hated of them For they for their ingenuous manners and noble race dissembled not their anger but freely declared their minds But Salome and Pheroras contrariwise enviously and craftily prepared themselves a way by calumniations always provoking the magnanimous spirits of these young Princes whose fierceness might soon bring them into suspicion with their Father that he might gather hereby that they wanted not will to revenge their Mother's death yea even K with their own hands forasmuch as they were not ashamed to be the Children of such a Mother and would contend that she was unjustly put to death And now all the City talked of them every one pitying their rashness Salome not ceasing to gather by their own speeches probable arguments of suspicion that they did not only take their Mother's death impatiently but also raging like furies did both bewail her death and their own case who were compelled to converse with the murtherers of their unfortunate Mother and as it were contaminate themselves with living amongst them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. al. chap. 8. And the absence of the King greatly encreased their dissension who being returned having made a speech unto the people he presently was admonished both by Pheroras and Salome his Sister Pheroras and Salome accuse Alexander Aristobulus unto Herod that he was in great danger by reason of his L two Sons who did openly boast that they would be revenged of them that killed their Mother Feigning moreover that they were encouraged for that they hoped that Archelaus King of Cappadocia would help them to accuse their Father unto Caesar Herod hearing this was greatly troubled and so much the more that he heard the same also reported unto him by others And hereby he was put in memory of that which was past how that for the dissension of his house he could not long enjoy his friends and dearest wife Herod was fortunate abroad and unfortunate at home And as it were foreseeing by that that was past what would ensue and fearing some greater calamity would befall him he was altogether amazed And truly as abroad he was most fortunate above all hope so at home he was most unhappy and unfortunate beyond men's opinion So that one may well doubt whether M his fortunate success abroad did countervail his misfortunes at home or whether it had been more expedient for him to have had neither the one nor the other but to have had only a common and ordinary favour at fortunes hands Deliberating thus with himself Herod advanceth Antipater to bridle
being in prison his friends were tortured he would afterwards have gone to Rome Wherefore endeavouring to find some stronger argument of his Son's impiety and because he would not be thought rashly to have committed his Son to prison he caused the most noble and eminent of all Alexander's friends to be tortured and they confessing no such matter as he expected he put them to death Whilst thus all the Court did resound with fear One accused Alexander to have sent letters to Rome against his Father torments and contentions a certain B man accused Alexander to have sent letters to his friends at Rome to entreat them to cause him to be sent for by Caesar thither that he might accuse his Father of certain conspiracies against Caesar and how he more esteemed the friendship of Mithridates King of the Parthians than the friendship of the Romans affirming also that he had poyson ready prepared at Ascalon Herod hearing this was comforted by flatterers about him as having not done any thing rashly and so he gave now full credit unto all Alexander confesseth the treason and who had a hand in it Yet the poyson was diligently sought for but could not be found Alexander being now oppressed with this calamity he yet took courage and because he would more incite his Father's displeasure against him he did not deny it Perhaps meaning to make his Father ashamed of himself for giving credit so easily unto forged C tales or at least if he could not effect that entangle all the Court and him too in calamity and misery Which that he might the better do he writ four little Pamphlets and sent them unto his Father telling him that it was needless to use any more torments for indeed treason was intended against him and that Pheroras and his most trusty friends were herein conspirators And that in the night time Salome came secretly unto him and as it were forced him to lie with her And that all of them aimed at this mark to have him made away that so they might enjoy their wished liberty He also accused Ptolomeus and Sapinnius of this conspiracy who were more faithful unto their King than all others So that now these men who before were most friendly one to another began like mad men to rage one against another and punishment so D hastily pursued every one that they had not time to speak in their own defence Neither was their punishment deferred till their cause was tried and the truth known so that some were bound and imprisoned others presently put to death others laughed in their sleeves to see that day yet discontented for that any delay was used for their punishment Herod was so troubled with the contention in his house that he was weary of his life So that the King's Court was now greatly defaced with sorrow and heaviness wherewith the usual felicity thereof was destroyed Herod himself amidst these calamities could not but be weary of his life who not daring to trust himself in any bodies hand he was tormented with a dayly and hourly fear of some untimely death that would befall And many times perswaded himself that he did see his Sons before him with a drawn sword ready to kill him and this was his cogitation night and day E so that herewith he almost ran mad CHAP. XII How Archelaus King of Cappadocia reconciled Alexander to his Father WHilst Herod was thus troubled in his mind Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9 al. 13. Archelaus King of Cappadocia careful of his Daughter and the young Prince his Son in Law and pitying his friend Herod in such calamities Archelaus the King of Cappadocia feigneth displeasure against Alexander his Son in Law and so reconciled Herod unto him he thought it his duty to make a journey unto him And F finding him so affected as it was reported unto him before his coming he thought it an unfit way to argue him of too much credulity and rashness perceiving that thereby he would be rather exasperated so much the more labouring to excuse himself Wherefore Archelaus devised another way to appease these troubles he counterfeited indignation against the young Prince approving all the King's actions affirming that he would break the band of Wedlock between his Daughter and Alexander and that if she knew of the Conspiracy and did not inform the King thereof himself would punish her Then Herod contrary to his expectation seeing Archelaus so angry for the offence committed against him began to remit his anger And now with just consideration weighing what he had done by little and little G he began to have a Fatherly affection and to be hereby moved to compassion yet so oft as any one sought to excuse the young Prince he grew very angry thereat but when Archelaus also began to accuse him then Herod's heart relented and he with tears besought Archelaus not to yield too much to anger nor for the young Princes offence H break off the marriage Then Archelaus perceiving him to relent began to turn the matter against Herod's friends as the causes of all this mischief who had corrupted Alexander who of himself was void of malice and especially he aggravated the matter against Pheroras the King's Brother Archelaus layeth the fault of Alexander's offence upon others and especially upon Pheroras Pheroras having now incurred the King's displeasure perceived that none could so soon reconcile him unto the King as Archelaus wherefore clothed in black and making other signs as though he despaired of his life he went unto him who did not deny to help him what he could yet he told him that it was no easie matter for him to pacifie the King so highly offended perswading him rather himself to go unto the King his Brother and crave pardon of him confessing himself to have been cause of all this mischief by which confession of his I the King's wrath would be greatly appeased and so he also should have better occasion to entreat for him Pheroras confessed himself to be the author of all mischief and obtaineth pardon of his brother Pheroras followed his counsel which fell out happily for them both for the Prince contrary to any ones expectation was freed from all his troubles And Archelaus made Pheroras and Herod friends and he himself having obtained great friendship of the King in his adversities he returned joyfully into Cappadocia being rewarded with rich gifts and being accounted of as Herod's chiefest friend They also agreed amongst themselves that Herod should go to Rome because he had already written unto Caesar Herod accompanied Archelaus unto Antioch concerning this matter And they both went together to Antiochia and there Herod reconciled Titus the President of Syria unto Archelaus and so he returned into Judea K CHAP. XIII Herod declareth War against the Arabians for protecting Trachonites Robbers WHilest Herod being gone to Rome The year of the World 3956. before
another of Antipholas's Brothers and the Mother I to them both confessed no less being constrained thereunto by force of violence and torture and acknowledged the Box. The King's Wife also who was the Daughter of the High Priest The King putteth away his Wife and blots his Son out of his Testament He degradeth Simon and instateth Matthias in the Priestood was accused of confederacy and concealment of all these Treasons For which cause Herod put her away from him and cancelled his Sons name out of his Testament wherein he had bequeathed him the Kingdom after his decease He displaced also his Father-in-law Simon the Son of Boethus from the Priesthood and placed Matthias the Son of Theophilus who was born in Jerusalem In the mean time Bathillus Antipater's Freeman returned from Rome who being tortured confessed that he brought a Poyson with him to deliver it to Antipater's Mother and Pheroras to the end that if the first Poyson were not effectual enough to dispatch the King they might K make use of this other to cut him off speedily There came Letters also to Herod's hands from his friends at Rome Archelaus Philip are accused by Antipaters means written and devised by Antipater's means to accuse Archelaus and Philip for very often they had refreshed the memory of Alexander and Aristobulus's death contrived by their Father and for that they lamented the miserable fate of them who were innocently betrayed and that now also they themselves were called back into their Countrey for no other cause but upon their arrival to be made partakers of their Brother 's miserable destiny These things did Antipater's friends certifie Herod of in that by many and mighty Presents he wrought them thereunto He himself also wrote unto his Father colourably after a manner excusing the young men and imputing their words unto their indiscretion and young years L Mean while he busied himself in accusing Syllaeus and courted the chiefest Romans buying divers Ornaments and Jewels to present them with to the value of two hundred Talents And it is to be wondred at that so great matters being in agitation against him seven months at least before his return into the Countrey of Judaea that no inkling thereof came unto his ears But the cause partly was the diligent search and watch that was kept upon the High-ways and partly the hatred that all men had conceived against Antipater For there was not any that would put themselves in hazard to procure his security M CHAP. VII Antipater being returned back into Judaea from Rome is convicted in the presence of Varus Governour of Syria for having endeavoured to poyson the King his Father Herod causeth him to be imprisoned and writeth to Augustus on that Subject HErod concealing his displeasure Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. answered Antipater his Son's Letters giving him a strict charge as soon as he had dispatched his affairs to hasten homeward lest his long absence should prove hurtful to him Herod writeth friendly Letters to Antipater and calleth him home from Rome He likewise after a temperate manner N complained unto him of his Mother promising notwithstanding to remit the fault upon his return and by all means he made shew to him of much kindness fearing lest he apprehending any suspicion should defer to hasten his return and lingring too long at Rome should contrive some treacherous stratagem to the prejudice of himself and the overthrow of his Kingdom Antipater received these Letters in Cilicia and had already received others at Tarentum by which he understood of Pheroras his Unkle's death whereat he was sore grieved not for the love he bare to Pheroras but for that he died before he had murthered his Father according as he had promised him As soon as he came to Celenderis a City of Cilicia he grew doubtful whether he should return or no and was grievously troubled at his Mother's disgraces O who was banished from the Court The opinions of his friends in his behalf were various for some of them counselled him to stay and expect the event of these troubles A in some place others on the other side advised him to delay no longer his return into his Countrey for that upon his arrival he might easily satisfie all those objections and accusations that were forged against him because his accusers had nothing else to strengthen their cause with but his absence This later advice pleased him best so that he betook himself to Sea Celenderis in Cilicia and at last arrived in the Port of Sebaste so called and builded by Herod to his great charge in honour of Caesar And now already it manifestly appeared that Antipater was upon his downfal Sebaste a Haven builded by Herod in honour of Caesar For no man came out to salute him no man entertained him as they did upon his departure when as all of them accompanied him with prayers and happy acclamations but contrariwise they boldly and openly spake against him and bitterly cursed him telling B him that he was justly punished for the wickedness that he had committed against his brothers Antipater upon his return is saluted by no man About the same time Quintilius Varus who was sent to succeed Saturnine in the Government of Syria was at Jerusalem Quintilius Varus Governour of Syria and drew thither at that instant upon Herods request to assist him with his Counsels in his present and weighty occasions Now whilest these two sate and cousulted together Antipater came in before any man expected him and in that purple garment and Royalty that he was accustomed to use entered the Palace The Guard of the Gates suffered him to enter in but they excluded all those that were with him This first of all affrighted and appaled his Spirits in that he already perceived into what calamity he was fallen and now also C when he drew near his Father he thrust him from him accusing him of the murder of his Brethren and reproaching him with that intent he had to poyson him telling him that the next day Varus should both hear and judge all his misdemeanours He altogether daunted at the greatness of that unexpected mischief which he both heard and saw departed presently from them wholly amazed and in the way met with his Mother and his Wife which was Antigonus's daughter who had been King of the Jews before Herod by whom he was advertised of all that which had happened and for that cause more diligently prepared himself for his tryal Herod calleth his Son in question before Quintilius Varus The next day Varus and Herod sate in judgement accompanied by their friends on both sides thither also D were cited the Kings kindred and his sister Salome and certain others who could discover his secret practices some of which had been tortured and namely Antipaters mothers servants who a little before his arrival had been apprehended with a letter to this
Sabinus also by his Letters accused Archelaus to Caesar but Archelaus by Ptolomey exhibited unto Caesar a Supplication containing his Right and Title unto the Kingdom his Father's Testaments and the account of the Money which Herod his Father had sealed up together with his Ring and expected the issue D But when he had read these Letters and those which Varus and Sabinus had sent him and understood what summs of money he had left and what the yearly Revenue was and how Antipas challenged the Kingdom and appropriated it to himself according as his Letters mention he assembled all his friends to have their advice thereupon Amongst them was Caius the Son of Agrippa and his Daughter Julia adopted by him whom he caused to sit in the chiefest place which done he commanded the Assistants to speak what they would concerning this matter At that Antipater Salome 's Son a man very eloquent Antipater Salome 's Son accuseth Archelaus before Augustus Caesar and a great Adversary to Archelaus spake first saying That it was a mockery for him at that time to speak of the Kingdom considering that before Caesar had granted it him he had already seized the Forces of the State when as upon a Festival day E he had killed so many who although they had deserved that punishment yet ought the justice thereof to have been reserved to a lawful Power and not to have been usurped by him either being King with Caesar's prejudice whose Authority he had contemned or by being a private man which was a great oversight For which cause he undeservedly at this time hoped for his approbation whom already as much as in him lay he had deprived of the Title and Authority of his Allowance Moreover he objected against him that of his own Authority he had changed certain Officers of the Army and that he had seated himself in the Royal Throne and like a King had determined certain causes and had granted certain demands of the people That he had left nothing undone which he might have performed had Caesar confirmed his Title He alledged also that they who were enclosed in the Hippodrome F were dismissed by him and divers other acts partly true partly probable in regard of the ambition of young men who desirous to govern do ordinarily commit such things Besides this his neglect in mourning for his Father and withal his rare Banquets all night long at that very time his Father died whereat the people began to mutiny seeing the small regard he had of his Father's death from whom he had received so great Goods and Honours How all the day long be made a shew of his sorrow and tears in his Pavilion but all the night he took pleasure like a King and being such if Caesar should grant him the Kingdom he would behave himself no less unkindly towards him than he had done to his most kind Father That it was no less than an odious crime in him to delight himself with Songs and Dances at his Father's death as if he had been his enemy That he G now came to Caesar's Presence to the intent to obtain the Kingdom by his consent whereas already he had behaved himself no otherwise than if he had already been established King by his Authority But most of all he exaggerated the Slaughter he had committed in the Temple and the Impiety perpetrated so near to the Feast of Easter at which time divers H both Strangers and Citizens had been killed after the manner of Sacrifices and the Temple filled with Carcases not by a stranger but by him who under the colour of Religion desireth the Government of the Kingdom to the end he might satisfie the injustice of his nature in exercising each way his Tyranny towards all men for which cause his Father never thought nor ever dreamt to substitute him King in his place For he knew both his life and disposition and by his former Testament and that of greatest force had ordained his Adversary Antipater to be King For he had been allotted the Kingdom by his Father not when his mind was dead before his body but when both his Judgment was sound and his body in health Yea although at that time Archelaus's Father had such a conceit of him as in his later Testament he pretendeth yet that he had already declared what kind of King he was I like to be who contemned Caesar's Authority in confirming the Kingdom and being as yet a private man doubted not to murther the Citizens in the Temple This said Antipater to give greater credit to his words bringing divers of his Kindred as Witnesses of that he had said ended his Oration Whereupon Nicholaus arose Nicholaus excuseth Archelaus and alledged in Archelau 's behalf as touching the slaughter that it was to be imputed to their impiety who could not be restrained from their Tumults and Uproars before Archelaus was enforced to appease them by force alledging That they were so much the more guilty for that they had not only exercised their malice but also had enforced others to attempt so great a revenge against them for their insolency seemed in appearance to concern Archelaus yet in a sort their contumacy K pertained to Caesar's ruine For those that had been sent by him to appease and redress their sedition were against all Law and right charged and killed by them without respect of God or regard of the solemn Feast Whose defence Antipater was not ashamed of without respect of equity so that he might satisfie that hatred which he bare unto Archelaus That therefore it was their fault who first of all abstained not from injury but whetted those Swords which were drawn in maintenance of the peace against their own bosoms He enforced all other things also whereof they had accused Archelaus against themselves saying that none of these things were done without their consents and that the offence was not so grievous as they intended it should be esteemed to the end they might discredit Archelaus So great a desire was in them to hurt their Kinsman a man both well L respected and affected by his Father as also kind and officious towards them in all things that concerned them As for the Testament that it was made by the King when he was in perfect estate of mind and body and of greater force than the former because the Authority and confirmation thereof was ascribed unto Caesar the Sovereign of the World Further that Caesar would not imitate them in that wrong they did unto Herod who being during his life-time bountifully graced by him by many benefits do now after his death go about to violate his last and truest Testament but that rather like a Friend and Confederate he would confirm his Will who like his faithful and sworn well-willer had committed all things to his trust For that there must needs be a great difference between M their Malice and Caesar's Vertue
estate of those that were alive was far more desperate whom he not only frighted with perpetual terrour and severity but also with injurious hands had not abstained from their M Goods By which means it came to pass that he not only builded but beautified Foreign Cities inhabited by Foreign Nations to the end he might the rather utterly spoil those by exaction which were situated and seated in his own Countrey And that he enforced his Nation to extream Poverty which he received in most happy Estate whilst he spoiled those Nobles of their Estates who upon weak probabilities were condemned to die or granting them Life deprived them of their Possessions And whereas yearly Tributes were imposed on every one yet severally were the ravenous and covetous desires of his Friends and Courtiers to be satisfied yea and of his servants also who had the Authority to exact these things and by this means they might redeem their injurious wickedness As for the deflouring of Virgins and the shameful betraying N of a Matron's chastity they covered them under silence for that it is a great comfort to those that suffer such abuses if their disgraces be but known to a few In short that Herod had no other ways governed than as if the Government had been committed to a most wild Beast For which cause whereas in times past that Nation had been afflicted with many Calamities and Murthers yet that there is no example extant amongst their Monuments of Antiquity that may be compared with their present Calamity under Herod For which cause upon just respects they had with one consent named Archelaus their King supposing that whatsoever King might befall them he would always demean himself more affably than Herod had done and that to honour Archelaus they had mourned with him for his Father to gratifie him in O other things to the intent they might obtain his good affection But he without delay and all at once had made manifest to the whole Nation what opinion they were A to conceive of him notwithstanding that as yet he was not confirmed King for that it lay in Caesar's hands to grant it and as if he had been afraid lest he should assuredly be acknowledged for his Father's Son he had shewed an example of his Vertue Moderation and good Government that he would use towards his Subjects by the first Act which he had committed not only against God but also against men For in the Temple it self he hath caused three thousand of his Countrey-men to be killed in stead of Sacrifices And how can he chuse but be justly hated who besides his other cruelties objecteth against us the Crime of Rebellion and Mutiny The effect of their request therefore was this that they might not any more be governed by a King nor any such like Government but that they might be united unto Syria and submit B themselves under their Governours that should be sent thither That in so doing it should truly appear whether they were sedicious and addicted to changes or whether they would live in peace Nicholaus excuseth Herod and Archelaus when they had favourable Governours After the Jews had spoken to this effect Nicholaus discharged the Kings of those Accusations that were objected against them and namely Herod who as he said had never been accused all his life-time and that it was no reason that they who justly accusing him might have caused him to be punished during his life-time should now address their Accusations against him after he was dead And as touching those things which were objected concerning Archelaus's actions it ought to be imputed to their insolence for that engaging themselves in matters contrary to Law and having begun to murther those who C sought to appease the tumult they accused such as had kept them in obedience Besides this he objected against them that they were addicted to alterations and took pleasure to stir up Seditions for that they knew not what thing it was to obey Justice and the Laws and that there was no Nation in the World so head-strong as that of the Jews for that they would have the upper hand over all Thus spake Nicholaus CHAP. XIII Caesar confirms Herod's Testament and appointeth his Children to be his Successors D WHen Caesar had heard these things Caesar maketh Archelaus an Ethnarch and bestoweth one half of the Kingdom on Philip and Antipas he dismissed the Assembly But some few days after desirous to make an end of this matter declared Archelaus not King but Lord of half that Government that appertained to Herod promising him to bestow a Royal Dignity upon him if so be he behaved himself vertuously according as it became him As for the other Moyety he divided it between two of Herod's Sons Philip and Antipas who debated with his Brother Archelaus for the whole Kingdom The same Antipas also had the Countrey on the other side Jordan and Galilee with two hundred Talents of yearly Revenue As for Philip he had Bathanea Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of the Palace that was called by Zenodorus's name with one hundred E Talents As for Archelaus he had Idumaea Judaea and Samaria which were discharged of the fourth part of the Tributes by Caesar for that they had joyned themselves with the rest of the people during the time of the Sedition Besides that Archelaus had the Tower of Straton Sebaste Joppe and Jerusalem For Gaza Gadara and Hippon were Cities of Greece which Caesar had separated and adjoyned to Syria Archelaus had five hundred Talents of yearly Rent out of his Countrey Thus was the Patrimony divided among Herod's Sons Salome As for Salome besides that which her Brother had given her in his Will which were the Cities of Jamnia Azot Phasaelis and half a Million of money Caesar granted her a Royal house in Ascalon so as she received in the whole sixty Talents of yearly Revenue and had her house allotted her within the Dominion F of Archelaus All Herod's Kindred received that which was bequeathed unto them by his Testament Two of his Daughters that were unmarried were endowed by Caesar with a quarter of a Millon of money which he gave them besides their Father's Portion Herod's two Daughters that were Virgins married to Pheroras's Sons and they were married to Pheroras's Sons Moreover he gave Herod's Sons all which he had given him by the Testament amounting to the summ of one thousand and five hundred Talents contenting himself only to receive some few movables not so much for the value as in remembrance of the King who had given them CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. H An Impostor counterfeits himself to be Alexander Herod's Son Augustus finds out his Cheat and sends him to the Galleys AVgustus having thus ordained Herod's Succession Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. a young man and a Jew born brought up in the City of
Sidon Alias cap. 17 by a certain Roman Free man intruded himself into Herod's Kindred The false Alexander for all those that beheld him reported that he resembled Alexander Herod's Son who was killed by him and by this means he began to aspire to the Kingdom Whereupon calling to him a Companion who was his own I Countrey-man and a long experienced Courtier his Arts-master and fit to make disturbances he by his instructions feigned himself to be that Alexander Herod's Son who was delivered from death by the means of a certain friend who had the charge to see him executed who executing others in their steads delivered both him and his Brother Aristobulus and that they were both escaped in this manner Being puffed up by these Toys he failed not to deceive other men and as soon as he came to Creet as many Jews as he fell in conference with he perswaded them no less and getting much money from them he sailed into the Isle of Melos where he gathered a great Summ of Money under pretext that he was of the Kings Blood And now hoping that he should recover his Father's Kingdom and that he should reward those that K were beneficial to him he hasted towards Rome accompanied with his Friends in great pomp And being arrived at Puteol he was entertained there with no less favour by those Jews whom he deceived by his colourable Title and divers others who had been Herod's Friends and Familiars came unto him and entertained him as their King The cause hereof was the natural disposition of men who take pleasure in false reports together with the report of his resemblance For they that had frequented very familiarly with Alexander held it for a matter most assured that he was the man and none other and affirmed unto others upon their Oaths that it was he so that this rumour at last came to Rome And all the Jews that dwelt there came forth to meet him The false Alexander cometh to Rome saying That it was God's handy-work that he was after that manner L preserved beyond all men's expectation And they greatly rejoyced in his Mother Mariamne's behalf from whom he was descended he was carried in a Litter through the Streets with all the Apparel of a King the charge whereof was defrayed by those who were his Friends He was attended by a great multitude of men and honoured with great applause as it ordinarily falleth out at such time as beyond all expectation any one is found to have been miraculously preserved When this News was brought to Caesar's ears he gave small credit thereunto perswading himself that it was a hard matter to deceive Herod in a matter of so great importance Notwithstanding conforming himself in some sort to the opinions of men he sent a certain Free-man of his called Celadus who had very familiarly conversed with Alexander M and Aristobulus during their Infancy giving him charge to bring Alexander unto him to the end he might see him which he did and was never the wiser in discovering him The false Alexander cannot deceive Caesar Notwithstanding Caesar was not fully deceived For although he resembled him somewhat yet he was not so exactly like him that he could deceive those who narrowly observed him For this counterfeit Alexander had hard hands in that he had been accustomed to labour which the true Alexander could not have in regard of his tender and delicate education and likewise this man was of a rough skin and hard flesh Caesar therefore discovering the treachery both of the counterfeit Scholar and lying Master and how they agreed in their confident Justifications he enquired of them what was become of Aristobulus who was secretly hidden with him N and for what cause he presented not himself to enjoy the honour that appertained to those who were so Nobly descended It was answered him that he remained in the Isle of Cyprus for fear of dangers to which they are exposed who sail by Sea to the end that if any mis-fortune should befal him all Mariamne's Race should not be extinguished but that at least Aristobulus might be left alive Whilst he owned these things and the Author of the Fable justified no less Caesar drawing the young man aside said unto him My friend if thou wilt not deceive me thou shalt have this recompence that thou shalt not be punished Tell me therefore what thou art and who hath emboldned thee to practice this fraud for this malice is so great that it surpasseth thine age The false Alexander is condemned to â—ug at an Oar. Whereupon being unable to conceal the truth he discovered the treachery O to Caesar how and by whom it was contrived At that time Caesar being loath to falsifie his promise that he had past to this false Alexander and seeing that in times past he had A laboured with his hands he caused him to be enrolled among the number of his Galley-slaves and caused the other that induced him to this cheat to be put to death contenting himself that the Inhabitants of Melos had lost their charges which they had employed upon this false Alexander who had a shameful end as it hath been heretofore declared CHAP. XV. B Archelaus marrieth Glaphyra his Brother Alexander's Widow Augustus hâ—ving heard several of the Jews complaints of him confineth him to Vienna in France and uniteth his possessions to Syria Glaphyra's death AFter that Archelaus had taken possession of that Sovereignty that was allotted him Hedio Ruffinus chap. 19. al. 18. he came into Judea where he deposed Joazar the Son of Boethus from the High Priesthood The Priesthood is taken from Joazar and delivered to Eleazar and from him to Joshuah the Son of Sias accusing him to have favoured the Seditious and established Eleazar his Brother in his place After this he re-edified the Palace in Jericho and sumptuously adorned it drawing away the half of those Waters which served the Borough of Neara and conveying them thorough a field which he had planted with Palm Trees he C builded a Borough in that place which he named Archelais and contrary to the Laws of his Countrey he married Glaphyra Archelaus's Daughter who had been his Brother Alexander's Wife Archelau builded by whom he also had divers Children notwithstanding the Law of the Jews forbiddeth a man to marry his Brother's Wife Neither did Eleazar enjoy the Priesthood any long time but during his life time Jesus the Son of Sias was substituted in his place The tenth year of Archelaus's Government the chiefest Governours among the Jews and Samaritans unable any longer to endure his cruelty and Tyranny accused him before Caesar and especially after they had understood that he had transgressed Caesar's Command who had charged him to behave himself graciously towards them Which D when Caesar understood he was sore displeased and caused Archelaus's Agent to be called before him who was then at Rome and
Greeks or Barbarians that make account of virtue which they have practised from all Antiquity which is that they possess their goods in common neither doth the richest among them make more use of his possessions than he that hath least of all They are at least four thousand in number who have neither Wives nor Slaves supposing that Women are the occasion of injustice and Slaves do cause insurrections E and living apart by themselves they serve one another and chuse out certain upright men among the Priests to gather the Fruits and Revenues of the Lands to the end they may be maintained and nourished thereby Plisti among the Danes In a word they follow the same course of life that they do Judas â—alilaeus the Author of the fourth Sect. who are called Plisti among the Danes The fourth Sect was founded by Judas of Galilee which accordeth altogether and in all things with the Pharisees but they are extremely zealous of their liberty acknowledging but one only God Lord and Master of all things and had rather both themselves with their dearest Children and Kindred should endure the most grievous and bitter torments that may be imagined than call any mortal man their Lord. Of which constancy of theirs I forbear to discourse any further at this time for it is sufficiently known unto divers who have been F eye-witnesses thereof neither do I fear lest any one should suppose those things to be incredible which I have said of them but rather that I have spoken less than they themselves make evident in contemning their grievous tortures and punishments which courage and magnanimity of theirs encreased very mightily amongst our Nation being kindled by the most grievous injuries which were offered us by Gessius Florus our Governour Gessius Florus 's injuries by which means at length it came to pass that they revolted and rebelled against the people of Rome Thus much concerning the Sects among the Jews CHAP. III. H Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso AFter that Cyrenius had confiscated Archelaus's Goods Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. and finished the valuation of I every man's Estate which happened thirty seven years after Antonies overthrow by Caesar in the Actian Battel he deposed Joazar from the Priestly Dignity Ananus the Son of Seth made High Priest in Joazar's place by reason of that Sedition which the people stirred up against him and established Ananus the Son of Seth in his place But Herod and Philip took each of them the possession of their Tetrarchy Alias cap. 6. and disposed of the Affairs thereof Herod inclosed Sephoris with a strong Wall Sephoris chief City of Galilee and made it the chiefest City and Ornament of Galilee He fortified also another City called Bataramphtha and named it Julias in honour of Julia the Emperour Caesar's Wife Betaramphtha called Julias Paneas Bethsaida Philip repaired Paneada situated near unto the head of Jordan and called it Caesarâ—a he repaired also the Borough of Bethsaida near unto the Lake of Genezareth and gave it the dignity of a City both for the number of the Inhabitants as for K other pre-eminencies Men's bones scattered in the Temple and called it Julia by Caesars Wives name As for Coponius the Governour in Judaea who as we have said was sent with Cyrenius in his time there hapned that which followeth At the Feast of Unlevened Bread which we call Pascha the custom was that the Priests opened the Temple Gates about midnight The year of the World 3974. after Christ's Nativity 12. at which time certain Samaritans who secretly entred into Jerusalem as soon as the Gates were open spred men's bones amidst the Porches and over all the Temple whereby it came to pass that the Priests began to keep a more diligent watch than they had done before Some little while after Hedio Ruffinus chap 4. Coponius returned to Rome and Marcus Ambivius succeeded him in the Government In his time Salome King Herod's Sister departing out of this life bequeathed unto Julia the City of Jamnia and all the Lands and Countrey round L about The year of the World 3975. after Christ's Nativity 13. she gave her also Phasaelis situate on the Plain and Archelais where there are divers Date Trees bearing most excellent fruit After Ambivius Annius Rufus had the Command in whose time died Augustus Caesar the second Roman Emperour after he had reigned fifty seven years six months and two days and had Antonius his Co-partner in the Monarchy for the space of fourteen years The year of the World 3977. after Christ's Nativity 15. He lived in the whole seventy seven years After Caesar succeeded Tiberius Nero the Son of Julia his Wife who was the third Roman Emperour He it was that sent the fifth Governour into Judaea whose name was Valerius Gratus who succeeded Annius Rufus This Gratus deposed Ananus and appointed Ismael the Son of Fabius High Priest The year of the World 3978. after Christ's Nativity 16. and after his decease for he lived but a M little while after Eleazar the Son of Ananus was made High Priest A year after this Eleazar was also deposed and the Priesthood was given to Simon the Son of Camithus who continuing in this dignity for a year's space and no longer Joseph called Caiphas succeeded him The year of the World 3979. after Christ's Nativity 17. After Gratus had behaved himself thus he returned to Rome after he had remained in Judaea for the space of eleven years After him came Pontius Pilate and succâ—eded him in the Government But Herod the Tetrarch being entertained into Tiberius's Friendship builded a City in honour of his name and called it Tiberias He planted it in the fruitfullest part of Galilee hard by the Lake Genezareth and near unto the natural Baths in the Borough called Emmans The year of the World 3980. after Christ's Nativity 18. This City was peopled by strangers who resorted thither from all parts and by divers of the Countreys N of Galilee some of which were constrained to inhabit the same Some of those likewise who were in authority repaired thither and from all Countreys many flocked thither who were not all assuredly held to be Free-men all which he made free and gave them great gifts on that condition that they should not abandon the City To some of them he gave houses already builded to others Lands very apt to be tilled knowing that the inhabiting of such a place was contrary to the Laws and Customs of his Countrey Tyberias builded and the
Ordinances of the Jews for that Tiberias was builded in a place full of Sepulchres Phraates King of the Parthians slain by the Treason of Phraataces his Son and our Law saith he that converseth in those places is held unclean and defiled for the space of seven days At that very time Phraates King of Parthia died being treacherously killed by his Son O Phraataces for this cause After that Phraates had begotten many lawful Children he took an Italian woman to be his Concubine called Thermusa whom with other A Presents Julius Caesar had sent unto him The year of the World 3990. after Christ's Nativity 28. After he had begorten on her his Son Phraataces he was so much besotted with her beauty that he took her to his Wife and held her in high esteme She that might perswade him unto all that she pleased enforced her self to the uttermost to make her Son King of Parthia and seeing that she might not attain thereunto Thermusa Phraataces 's Mother except she had first found out the means to deliver her self of Phraates's lawful Children she perswaded him to send them Hostages to Rome In a word they were presently sent away because Phraates had not the power to contradict Thermusa's Will and only Phraataces was brought up in State Affairs who thinking the time too tedious and long if he should expect the Kingdom till his Father was dead conspired against him by the instigation and furtherance of his Mother with whom B as it was thought he committed Incest Phraataces slain In effect being equally attainted of those two enormous Crimes both for the murther of his Father and Incest committed with his Mother he was generally hated by his Subjects who rebelled against him before he was setled in his Kingdom By this means his Fortune was overthrown and he died The Noble men among the Parthians perceiving that it was impossible for them to maintain their State without a King and that their King ought lineally to be descended of the Race of the Arsacians because by custom they might not chuse any out of another stock and supposing that their Ordinances had too much already been broken and that it would redound to their great dishonour if the Kingdom should be continued in the hands of such a man who was descended from an Italian Concubine they sent C Ambassadours to require Herod to come and be their King Herod sent for by the Parthians and slain in hunting who otherwise was hated of all the people and accused of extreme cruelty In a word he was an unsociable man and extreamly cholerick notwithstanding he was of the Blood of the Arsacides they therefore flocked about him and killed him at a Banquet made at a certain Sacrifice for the custom of the Parthians was that every one bare his weapon or as the common report was that he was killed when he was a hunting For this cause they sent Ambassadours to Rome requiring that one of those that were Hostages there might be their King and one Vonones was sent unto them who was preferred above all his Brethren For he seemed to be capable of that high Degree of honour as to command two of the greatest Sovereignties that were under the Sun the one of his own Nation D the other of a Foreign Dominion But the Barbarians who are by nature inconstant and most insolent shortly after repented themselves for they disdained to execute the Command of a Slave for so called they a Pledg saying that the Parthians had not a King given them by right of War but that which was the greatest abuse that could befall them by an injury offered them in the time of a shameful Peace For which cause they speedily sent for Artabanus King of Media who was of the Race of the Arsacides To this request of theirs he willingly condescended and came unto them with his Army and Vonones marched forward against him At the first encounter although the common sort among the Parthians favoured Artabanus yet he was overcome Vonones King of the Parthians put to flight by Artabanus and fled to the Mountains of Media But not long after having assembled a E greater Army he once more set upon Vonones and defeated him at which time Vonones retired himself with some Horse-men of his into Seleucia But Artabanus having made a great slaughter of those that fled and wholly abashed the minds of the Barbarians he retired to the City of Ctesiphon with those people that accompanied him and was afterwards made King of Parthia Vonones arrived in Armenia and at the first sought to make himself King over that Nation sending to this effect certain Ambassadours to Rome but Tiberius repulsed his suit in respect of his Cowardice but the rather because Artabanus by an express Embassage had threatned him with War For those of the greatest power among the Armenians who are those that dwell about the Flood Niphates maintained Artabanus's Title Vonones submits to Syllanus Governour of Syria and Vonones destitute of all hope to obtain the F Kingdom yielded himself to Syllanus who was Governour of Syria and in regard that he had been brought up at Rome he was kept in Syria and Artabanus gave Armenia to Orodes Orodes King of Armenia one of his Sons Antiochus King of the Comagenes died also at that time Antiochus King of Comagena and there fell a debate betwixt the Commons and the Nobility so that both parties sent their Ambassadours to Rome The Nobles demanded that the Kingdom might be reduced into divers Provinces and the people requested that they might be honoured by a King Germanicus poysoned by Piso's means as they had been accustomed The Senate decreed that Germanicus should be sent to settle the affairs of the East Fortune thereby presenting him with the occasion of his ruine For when he arrived in the East and orderly disposed all things he was poysoned by Piso whereof he died as is declared in another place CHAP. IV. H The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them PIlate Governour of Judaea led his Army from Caesarea to Jerusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. alias chap. 8. where he wintered them with an intent to bring in Caesar's Standards into the City in contempt I of our Law Pilate bringeth Caesar's Statues to Jerusalem and upon the peoples instant motion transferreth them to Caesarea which forbiddeth us to make images For which cause those Governours that were before him were wont to make their entries into the City without such Pictures or Paintings Pilate was the first who unawares and by night entred Jerusalem
those who sate to behold the pastime There was within the same a certain room separated from the rest where the Players and Musicians kept When the people were seated and Chaereas with the Captains were near about Caesar Batibius who sate on the right side of the Theatre Batibius one of the Senators a man very expert in feats of Arms asked Cluvitus privily in his ear Cluvitus who sate by him and had in like sort been Consul whether he heard any news who answering C him that he had heard nothing On this day said Batibius shall the tragedy be plaid of a Tyrants death Cluvitus made him this reply in Homers words Whist lest some Greek should listen to our talk Now whilest some one darted certain apples and rare and precious Birds at the people Caius took great pleasure to behold how they strove one with another round about him buffeting one another to see who should get the same but at that present there chanced two presages for the sport that was represented was of a Judg who was apprehended and crucified and in the Dance they represented Cynera who D was killed with Myrrha her Daughter and there was a great quantity of blood gathered to counterfeit both the murther of the Judge that was crucified as also of Cynera It is affirmed likewise that the day was the very same whereon Philip the Son of Amyntas King of Macedon had been killed by Pausanias one of his familiars at such time as he entred the Theatre Whilst Caius was incertain with himself whether he should remain until the sports were finished for that it was the last day of them or rather should resort to the Bath and after he had refreshed himself return back again thither as he had done before Minucianus sitting next unto him fearing lest the occasion should be overslipt because he had seen Chaereas go out of doors with an intent to go and encourage him But Caius catcht him by the E Gown saying Whither go you my friend At which time for the reverence sake that he bare unto Caesar he sat him down again but the fear that he had grew so forcible that he arose again so that Caius could not detain him supposing that he had gone thence to dispatch some important business At that time did Asprenas counsel Caesar to repair to the Bath telling him that after his refreshment he might return thither again all which he did being desirous that the resolution might take effect They that were with Chaereas were ready disposed to take advantage of the time and were agreed each of them to stand prepared and in a readiness in a place appointed to the intent to act the Tragedy and the delay seemed very tedious to them for it was already three a clock afternoon So that Chaereas seeing that Caius F lingred so long intended to go in unto him and assail him in his seat but he conceived that he could not bring that to pass without great loss and murther of the Senators and Knights that were present Now although he had this apprehension yet addressed he himself to the execution thereof supposing that the loss that might happen by the death of some one would be well recompensed by the security and liberty that would redound unto all men When as therefore they were in a readiness to enter the Theatre news was brought them that Caius was risen to come forth by means whereof there arose some noise For which cause the Confedesates turned back into the Theatre and appeased the people telling them that they displeased and annoyed the Emperor but the effect was to draw him aside from all those G who might yield him any assistance and so to set upon him Before Caius marched Claudius his Uncle and M. Minucianus his Sisters Husband and Valerius who at that time was Proconsul who might not by any means be drawn from their place although they had the will by reason of the Place and Dignity which they held Caius H followed after them accompanied with Paulus Auruntius Now when he was entred into the Palace he left the ready way where his Officers were and Claudius and his Associates held and turned aside by an unfrequented way to the Baths on purpose to see certain young Boys who were come out of Asia and were sent him out of that Countrey partly to sing in those Ceremonies that were instituted by him and partly to dance in Arms about the Theater and in that place Chaereas came and encountred him asking him the Watch-word which Caius gave him very reproachfully according to his custom For which cause without any further delay Chaereas assailing him both in word and act drew his sword and gave him a great wound which notwithstanding was not mortal some say that Chaereas purposely wounded I him after that manner Caius slain because he would not kill him at once but to his greater torment increase the number of his wounds but I cannot believe it for that in such executions a man hath no leysure to determine how to strike And if Chaereas had such an intention I account him the veriest fool that might be for he rather took pleasure to content his despite than readily to deliver both himself and others who by his delay in being of his Confederacy might be drawn into hazard For if Caius had not been suddenly killed he could not have wanted rescue and it should seem that Chaereas had not pretended to do so much mischief to Caius as to himself and his Fellow-confederates And being in this uncertainty whether his enterprize should have fallen out happily or no he had without reason both undone himself and lost the occasion K whereas having happily hit home he might without a word speaking secure himself against those who would offend him But let every man think what best pleaseth him Caius feeling the grief of the wound for he was stricken between the shoulder and the neck and his sword could not pierce further by reason that it hit upon the first bone of the breast he cried not at all neither called for any of his friends whether it were that he distrusted them all or that he had some other thoughts and in lamenting himself he passed forward But he was met by Cornelius Sabinus who was already prepared to encounter him who thrust him down upon his knees whereupon all of them environed him round about Aquila gave Caius his deaths wound but Chaereas was the author and chief actor of the tragedy and with mutual exhortations encouraged one another to do their utmost in murthering him At length in all L mens opinion they agreed on this that it was Aquila that gave him the deadly wound that severed his soul from his body But this act ought to be attributed to Chaereas For though divers set to their hands in the action yet was he the first who had bethought him of the action having a
and Sabinus were come out into the streets notwithstanding they were forbidden by Pollio whom not long before Claudius had made Captain of his Guard And as soon as Claudius came into the Palace whither he assembled his friends he pronounced sentence against Chaereas For although his action was accounted both generous and noble yet he was condemned for this because he was perfidious whereupon he was adjudged to die to give example to others to the end that Princes and Emperours may hereafter live in safety He was therefore led to his death with Lupus Those that murthered Caius are executed and divers other Romans It is said of Chaereas that he endured this accident with a great courage which he expressed not only in that he changed not his countenance but also by the reproaches which he gave Lupus O who wept For when Lupus was putting off his Cloaths and complained of the cold that he felt he taunted him thus alluding to his name which was Lupus That never any cold A did harm to a Wolf Furthermore when he came to the place of Execution where a great number of people were gathered together to behold the spectacle he asked the Soldier that was appointed to behead him if he were a cunning heads-man and whether he had a new Sword wishing him to use that wherewith he murthered Caius His death was happy for he received but one stroke whereas Lupus was faint-hearted and received divers because he stretched not out his neck freely Some few days after at such time as the Romans solemnized their Expiations and that every one honoured the memory of his dear Friend they gave Chaereas a part of that honour and cast his portion into the fire saying That was to deface and purge their ingratitude whereof they were guilty towards him Thus ended Chaereas his Life But for Sabinus B although Claudius had not only absolved him but also suffered him to exercise his Office as he had done before Sabinus Killeth himself yet he thought that he should do amiss and against Justice if he falsified his Faith to his Associates and Confederates for which cause he shortned his own days thrusting his Sword through his own body to the very hilts CHAP. IV. Claudius the Emperour confirmeth Agrippa in his Kingdom adding Judaea and Samaria C thereunto He giveth the Kingdom of Chalcis to Herod Agrippa's Brother and maketh Edicts in favour of the Jews ONe of the first things that Claudius did after his establishment in the Empire Hedio Ruffinus chap 5. was to disband those Soldiers whom he suspected and published an Edict by which he confirmed the Kingdom to Agrippa Alias 4. that Caius had given him accompanying his bounty with many Praises Claudius giveth Agrippa Judaea Samaria and Lysanias 's Countrey adding moreover unto his Government all that which his Grandfather had possessed towit Judaea and Samaria which in that they were as one Lawful Inheritance appertained unto him He gave him also out of his own Dominions Abela and all the Countrey about Libanus that in times past appertained to Lysanias And D he caused the Alliance that was past betwixt them to be engraven and registred in an open place of the City of Rome Antiochus King of Comagena He took from Antiochus the Kingdom that he had and gave him in exchange a portion of Cilicia and Comagena He set Alexander Lysimachus Alebarcha at liberty Alexander Lysimachus Alebarcha who had been his old Friend and sometimes Governour in Arabia and once his Mother Antonia's Steward who had been committed Prisoner through Caius's displeasure and espoused Bernice Agrippa's Daughter to his Son Marcus which after the death of Marcus who died before he was maried was afterwards married with her Father Agrippa's allowance Herod Agrippa's Brother created King of Chalcis to Herod his Brother for whom Agrippa begg'd of Claudius the Kingdom of Chalcis At that very time the Jews that were in the City of Alexandria mutined against the Greeks For after Caius's death E the Nation of the Jews which had been oppressed during his Reign and injuriously dealt withal by the Alexandrines Sedition in Alexandria betwixt the Greeks and Jews recovered their former courage For which cause Claudius gave Commission to the Governour of Egypt to pacifie and appease that Uproar He sent also his Letters Patents into Alexandria and Syria at the request of the two Kings Agrippa and Herod to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Claudius's Edict in favour of the Jews in Alexandria Father of the people signifieth this that followeth Vnderstanding that the Jews Inhabitants in Alexandria and for that cause called Alexandrines have at all times enjoyed the self same Privileges of the City which the ancient and first Alexandrines have had Which Favours they have obtained by the Leave of those Princes that were our Predecessors as it hath been plainly made known F unto us as well by Letters which have been written unto us as by confirmed Decrees And that since Alexandria hath been united to our Empire by Caesar Augustus their Privileges have continued in force during the several Successions of many of our Governours which Rights of theirs have never been called in question no not in that time when Aquila was Governour in Alexandria Since in like sort Caesar Augustus hath not letted them but when the Governour of their Nation was dead they might establish other Substitutes and Governours in his place commanding that all of them should yield him obedience in observation of their Laws and Customs without constraint or impulsion to do any thing contrary to their Religion Yet notwithstanding the Alexandrines have mutined against the Jews being in the City of Alexandria in the time of the Emperour Caius by reason of the G folly and frenzy of Caius who disgraced and oppressed the Nation of the Jews because they would not violate their Religion nor acknowledge the said Caius for a God Our Will and Pleasure is that no one of the Privileges of the Nation of the Jews be abolished by reason of Caius's frenzy but my mind is to maintain those which heretofore have been H given them to the end they may continue and live according to their ancient Laws and Customs Commanding you and every one of you very carefully to provide that after the publication of this our Ordinance they be in no ways troubled This was the Tenour of that Ordinance which was made in favour of the Jews in Alexandria But that which was generally made in favour of those Claudius's Edict in the behalf of the Jews scattered thorough the whole Empire who were dispersed thorough the whole World was to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus High Priest Father of the people elected Consul the second time signifieth that which ensueth Our well-beloved Friends the Kings Agrippa and Herod have required us that we will permit all those
Jews that live under the Roman Empire to use the same Laws and Privileges which they have used heretofore as we have granted to the Jews that dwell in Alexandria I Which Suit of theirs we have willingly granted not only in favour of those that require the same but also for that I think them worthy of such a favour for whom I have been entreated in regard of the fidelity and friendship they have always expressed towards the Romans My pleasure therefore is that no City either Grecian or otherwise shall deny any privilege from whence they shall be excluded for that since the Emperour Augustus they have never been exempted from them It standeth with reason therefore that henceforth the Jews that live under our Empire of what place soever they be may observe their ancient Customs without any contradiction Giving them to understand that hereafter they use our Clemency so much the more moderately without neglecting the Religion of other Nations in retaining their own And our will is that this present Ordinance K be published by the Magistrates of Cities Colonies and Countreys of Italy and be sent unto Kings and Foreign Princes by sit Ambassadours within thirty days at the least to the end that they should be in such sort set up that they may be seen and read by all those that pass by CHAP. V. King Agrippa goeth to his Kingdom and putteth his Chain being a token of his Imprisonment into the Sacred Treasury of the Temple of Jerusalem He provideth for L the Dignity of the High Priesthood He is highly displeased at the Dorites insolence who had caused Caesar's Statue to be erected in the Jews Synagogue BY these Edicts of Claudius Caesar Claudius sendeth Agrippa into his Kingdom which he sent both to Alexandria and other parts of the World it plainly appeareth how well affected he was towards the Nation of the Jews And presently after this after he had dignified Agrippa with all kinds of Honour he sent him back into his Kingdom to govern the same commanding all his Presidents and Lieutenants in his Provinces thorough which he was to pass to give him a friendly and honourable Convoy But he having wisely and happily dispatched his Affairs returned in all haste As soon as he came to Jerusalem he offered M his Sacrifices of Thanksgiving which he had vowed without omitting any thing that was commanded by the Law He caused also divers Nazarites to cut off their hair Agrippa hangeth up his Golden Chain over the Treasury Chamber in the Temple and offered in Gift that Chain of Gold that Caius had given him which was of the same weight the Iron Chain was of wherewith his Royal hands were manacled in memory of the Adversity he had past and the Testimony of the exchange thereof into better Fortune commanding that it should be hanged up in the Temple and over the Chamber of the Treasury to testifie unto those that should behold it that the highest Estates are subject to alterations and that God can raise men again from Obscurity to happy Fortune For this Chain that hanged in the Temple being consecrated to God manifestly expressed unto all men that King Agrippa was upon a very N small occasion deprived of his former Dignity and made Prisoner and then a little while after that he being delivered from his Bonds was raised and exalted to a famous Kingdom to signifie thereby that Humane Affairs are of that nature that that which is the greatest may be easily overthrown and that which is declining may recover again its ancient Honour and Dignity When therefore Agrippa had duely and devoutly acknowledged God's mercies Simon the Son of Boethus placed in Theophilus's room he deposed the High Priest Theophilus the Son of Ananus and bestowed that Honour on Simon surnamed Canthara the Son of Boethus This Simon had two Brothers and Boethus was their Father whose Daughter had been married to King Herod Hedio Ruffinus chap 6. as heretofore it hath been mentioned Simon held the Priesthood with his Brethren and his Father as the three Sons of Simon O High Priest Son of Onias had done during the Empire of the Macedonians as we have declared in our former Books After the King had given order for the Priesthood A he thought good to recompence the good affection that they of Jerusalem had born unto him for which cause he acquitted them of those Tributes that every Family paid knowing that it became him to shew kindness unto them who had been faithful and well affected towards him He created Silas who had been his Companion in many dangers Agrippa releaseth the Tributes to those of Jerusalem General of all his Army Not long after certain young men that were Dorites under the colour of constancy in case of Religion who also had daily expressed the same in their actions and unbridled rashness brought the Image of Caesar into the Temple of the Jews and erected it in that place which insolence of theirs highly offended Agrippa Silas who construed it as an Act that tended to the abolition of the Religion of their Countrey The Dorites place Caesar's Statue in the Synagogue of the Jews and thereby vehemently offend both Agrippa and Petronius For which cause with all expedition he repaired to Petronius who was Governour B of Syria and complained against those Dorites who was no less displeased with the action than he himself For he supposed that such breach of Religion was the means to further Impiety and for that cause he wrote to those which had attempted this Innovation somewhat sharply to this effect following CHAP. VI. Petronius Governour of Syria's Letter to the Dorites concerning the Emperour's C Statue which they caused to be erected in the Jews Synagogue King Agrippa bestoweth the High Priesthood on Matthias Marsius is made Governour of Syria PUblius Petronius Alias cap. 5. Lieutenant to Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus P. Petronius writeth to the Dorites to send them to him who have broken Caesar's Edict to the Magistrates of the Countrey of Doria health Whereas Caesar hath published an Edict by which he permitteth the Jews to live according to their Laws and Customs some one amongst you have been so presumptuous as to contradict the same in effect although in words you protest that you obey him and do all that which you can to hinder the Jews from enjoying their Synagogue in so much as in the same you have set up Caesar's Image not only thereby opposing your selves against the Jews but also against the Emperour himself whose D Image might have been better placed in his own Temple than in a Foreign Temple And you have placed it in their Synagogue whereas by right every one ought to be master of his place according to Caesar's Judgment For it should be very ridiculous in me to alledge mine own judgment after that of Caesar's who hath granted the
acts and gests of Monobazus during his reign But during Fadus Government in Judaea Theudas perswadeth the people that with a word he will cause Jordan to divide it self yield them passage he with his followers are slain a certain Magician called Theudas perswaded a great number of the people to take all their goods and substance and to follow him to the River of Jordan for he said he was a Prophet and told them that the River should divide it self into two parts upon his commandment and yield them free passage By these words of his he deceived divers of them But Fadus sent some troops of Horse who charged them on the sudden and killed a great number of them and took divers of them Prisoners alive amongst whom was Theudas O whose head was stricken off and was afterwards carried to Jerusalem This is that which befel the Jews under Fadus's Government A CHAP. III. The year of the World 4010. after Christ's Nativity 48. Tiberius Alexander succeeds Fadus in the Government of Judaea and Cumanus succeeds Alexander Herod King of Chalcis's death his Children Claudius the Emperour giveth his Dominions to Agrippa AFter Fadus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. alias chap. 8. succeeded Tiberius Alexander the Son of that Alexander who had been Governour of Alexandria a man of as great Riches as any one of his time and place Tiberius Alexander Governour of Judaea who surpassed likewise his Son Alexander in piety who forsook the Religion B of his Forefathers At that time there hapned a great Famine in Jewry during which Queen Helena sent huge summs of money into Egypt and bought Corn and distributed the same to those that were in want James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee crucified according as I have said before At the same time James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee who had busied themselves to incite the people to resist the Government of the Romans were put to death at such time as Cyrenius valued each man's Goods as we have heretofore declared These did Alexander command to be crucified The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. Herod King of Chalcis took away the Sovereign Priesthood from Joseph the Son of Camydas and transferred it to Ananias the Son of Nebedaeus After Tiberius Alexander succeeded Cumanus The died Herod who was Brother to King Agrippa the Great in the eighth year of Claudius Caesar He left behind C him three Sons Aristobulus whom he had by his first Wife Bernicianus and Hircanus by Bernice his Brother's Daughter Claudius Caesar gave this Kingdom to Agrippa the younger During the time that Cumanus governed there happened a Sedition in Judaea whereby divers Jews miscarried The cause of all which accidents I will rip up from the Original CHAP. IV. The horrid Insolence of a Roman Soldier causeth the death of twenty thousand Jews D Another Soldier 's Insolence AT the time of the Feast of Pascha during which time the Jews are accustomed to feed on unleavened bread a great number of people assembled themselves from all parts Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. to the City of Jerusalem Alias 10. Whereupon Cumanus fearing lest by this occasion there should arise some Commotion he gave order that a Company of his Souldiers should be armed and should keep their Guard in the Porches of the Temple to the end if any trouble should happen they might repress it Those Governours who had been his Predecessors had done the like in such manner of Assemblies It came to pass In the Feast of Pascha a certain Soldier shewing his Privy Members moveth a Sedition among the people whereby twenty thousand Jews lost their lives on the fourth day of the Feast that a certain Soldier discovering those Privities E which were undecent to be seen shewed them before the people wherewith they that beheld the same were much displeased and provoked saying that the dishonour was not done to them but to God And some of the boldest of them uttered certain speeches against Cumanus saying that the Soldier was set on by him which when Cumanus understood he was in like manner grievously offended in regard of those injuries yet exhorted those whom he saw too forward to keep the Peace for fear lest a Sedition should arise during the time of the Feast And seeing they would no ways obey him but contrariwise they ceased not to injure and revile him he commanded that all the Forces he had should be in Arms and retire themselves into the Fort of Antonia that was near unto the Temple as we have heretofore declared F The people seeing the armed Soldiers were afraid and began to fly and because the places thorough which they issued were but narrow they imagined that they were pursued by their enemies so that they thrust on one another in their flight and divers of them were thronged to death Stephen Caesar's Servant robbed in his Journey for which cause Cumanus spoileth the Villages near to the place where the Robbery was done In this mutiny there died twenty thousand men and after this instead of a Feast there was nothing but mourning and without bethinking themselves of their Prayers and Sacrifices all of them began to weep and lament So great a mischief sprung from the insolence of one Soldier This first lamentation was scarcely finished before a second succeeded the same For some of those who had a part in this Mutiny being about a hundred stades from the City robbed one Stephen that was Caesar's Servant in the High way and took from him all that G which he had Which when Cumanus understood he presently sent some of his Soldiers to spoil those Villages which were nearest to the place where the Fact was committed and to bring the chiefest Inhabitants thereof in Bonds unto him In this pillage a certain Soldier found a Book of the Law of Moses in one of those Villages which he H took and brought and before them all tore it in pieces with horrid Blasphemies and vile speeches against the Law and whole Nation The Jews understanding hereof suddenly assembled themselves in great numbers and ran to Caesarea where Cumanus kept for that present A certain Soldier teareth the Books of Moses's Law and therefore is beheaded by Cumanus's commandment requiring him that he would revenge not their cause but God's whose Law was on that sort dishonoured signifying unto him that it was impossible for them to live so long as their Law was thus contemned Cumanus fearing lest a second mutiny and uproar should be raised among the people by counsel of his Friends cut off the Soldier 's head who had committed that Crime against the Law and by this means appeased the Sedition that was ready to take head I CHAP. V. A great Quarrel between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans who bribe Cumanus Governour of Judaea Quadratus Governour of Syria
Temple he purified it and compassed it with a Wall and made new Vessels for the M Service of God and placed them there because those that had been formerly consecrated there were prophaned He built likewise another Altar and began to renew the accustomed Sacrifice and observe the Rites of Religion Scarce was the City brought to its former Estate Antiochus dieth and leaveth the Kingdom to his Son Antiochus who gathereth a huge power and invadeth Jewry but Antiochus died leaving behind him Antiochus Eupator his Son and Heir not only of his Kingdom but also of his hatred against the Jews Who having gathered together fifty thousand Foot and almost five thousand Horse and fourscore Elephants entred by the Mountains into Judaea and took a Town called Bethsara near which Judas met him in a place called Bethzacary where the passage was something strait And before they joyned Battel Eleazar Judas's Brother seeing one Elephant higher than the rest bearing a N great Tower on his Back Ant. lib. 12. c. 14 15. and adorned with Golden Furniture thought Antiochus had been there â—leazar dieth being slain by an Elephant and ran from his Company breaking the Ranks of the Enemies till he came to the Elephant but he could not reach him whom he deemed to be the King he was so highly mounted all he could do was to wound the Elephant in the belly with his Sword till the Beast fell upon him and pressed him to death which act of his had no other success but this that by attempting so great a matter he gave testimony that he preferred Glory before his life Eleazar preferreth honour before life For he that rid on this Elephant was but a private person and although Antiochus had been there Eleazar had atchieved nothing more in this valiant attempt but yet he adventured his life in hope to perform some great exploit This act of his was a presage unto his Brother Judas of the event O of that days Battel for the Jews fought stoutly and a long time but yet Antiochus's Army being both more in number and more fortunate obtained the Victory and A Judas after the loss of many of his company fled to the Gophonites with those of his side who escaped Antiochus advanced afterwards to Jerusalem from whence after some stay he departed for want of Provisions leaving a sufficient Garrison there as for the rest of his Army he led them for their Winter-quarters into Syria But notwithstanding the King's departure Antiochus departing from Jerusalem leaveth a sufficient Garrison there Judas rested not but encouraged by many of his Nation who daily came to him and gathering also together those who escaped out of the former Battel he fought with the Forces of Antiochus at a village named Adasa where after many proofs of his valour in assaulting and slaughtering a great number of his enemies he himself at length was slain and within a few days after his Brother John also was betrayed Ant. l. 12. c 18 and slain by their treacheries who favoured B Antiochus Judas sighteth with Antiochus Captains and is slain Ant. l 13 c. 1. CHAP. II. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus AFter Judas succeeded his Brother Jonathan in the dignity of Prince of the Jews The year of the World 3805. before Christ's Nativity 157. He carefully studied the peace and security of his people and fortified himself by the friendship of the Romans and was reconciled to Antiochus his Son yet did C not all these things procure his safety For Tryphon who was tutor to the young Antiochus laying wait for him Jonathan taken by Tryphon's subtilty is slain and seeking to spoil him of his friends took Jonathan at such a time as he came with a small company to Antiochus who was at Ptolemais and binding him led an Army against Judaea from whence being repulsed by Simon Jonathan's Ant. l. 15. c. â— Brother in displeasure and revenge thereof he slew Jonathan But Simon valiantly bestirring himself in the Conduct of the affairs of the Common-wealth The year of the World 3813. before Christ's Nativity 149. took Zara Joppe and Jamnia which were bordering Towns and overcoming the Garrison of Accaron he destroyed the City and assisted Antiochus against Tryphon who besieged Dora before that expedition which he made against the Medes Simon encountreth with Cendebeus and overcometh him Yet would not the greedy mind of the King be satisfied notwithstanding D Simon had thus faithfully served and assisted him to the ruine and death of Tryphon but in a short time after he sent Cendebeus the General of the Army to harass and spoil Judea and to take Simon Prisoner But Simon though very aged acted both youthfully and valiantly Ant. l 13 c. 14. and sent his Sons before with the most resolute men he had against Antiochus Simon by the tâ—eachery of his Son-in-law Ptolâ—maeus is taken and slain and himself with the residue of his Army assaulted another quarter of the enemies Camp and having laid many ambushes in the mountains he obtained a great victory After which he was made High Priest and delivered the Jews from the subjection of the Macedonians under which they had been two hundred and seventy years John otherwise called Hircanus the Son of Simon Finally by the treachery of Ptolemy his Son-in-law he was murthered at a Banquet who imprisoning his Wife and two Sons sent certain men E to kill his third Son John otherwise called Hircanus But the young man understanding the design fled to Jerusalem accompanied with a great multitude for he greatly hoped that the people would remember his Father's prowess especially because Ptolemy's iniquity was hated of all men Ptolemy also hasted to enter the City at another gate but he was speedily repulsed by the people who had already received Hircanus For which cause he presently retired himself into a Castle named Dagon situate beyond Jericho After that Hircanus had obtained the office of High Priest The year of the World 3831. before Christ's Nativity 131. which was left him by his Father and had offered Sacrifices to God he led forth his forces with all speed to besiege Ptolemy hoping to deliver his mother and brethren that were detained F Prisoners there by him His tenderness of nature was the only obstacle that hinder'd him from forcing the Castle Hircanus obtaineth the honour of the High-Priestâ—ood which his father had 〈…〉 cruelty agâ—â—â—t Hircanus's Mother For when Ptolemy perceived himself to be in danger he brought Hircanus's Mother and Brethren upon the walls and beat them where he might behold them in their torments threatning to cast them down from the wall except Hircanus would presently depart How great soever the indignation of Hircanus was it was forc'd to give place to the affection he had for persons so dear to him and to his compassion of seeing them suffer
business for which cause labouring under his disease Ant. lib. 13. cap. 22. he applied himself to War and toiling above his strength amidst those tumults he yielded up the Ghost in the thirty seventh year of his Reign leaving the Kingdom to Alexandra his Wife Alexandra Alexander's Wife through the opinion of Vertue obtaineth the Kingdom fully accounting that the Jews would in all things obey her because that she always misliking and seeking to hinder his cruelty and iniquity had won the hearts of the people Neither was he deceived for she being admired for her piety amongst them they easily submitted to her the rather F for that she was well acquainted with the Customs of her Countrey and even from her Childhood detested them who violated our holy Laws Hircanus first made High Priest and afterwards King She had by Alexander two Sons the eldest was called Hircanus whom by reason of his years she made High Priest and because of his dull nature she thought that though he were in Princely Authority yet he would molest no man As for the youngest Son Aristobulus because he was of a hot spirit she was willing that he should lead a private life Now there was a certain Sect among the Jews The Pharisees getting in favour with the Queen are made her chief Governours and enjoy all honours which were called Pharisees who joyned themselves with the Queen These people were thought to be of the godliest sort and to be more skilful than others in interpreting the Scriptures and Alexandra favoured them the more because she was much given to Religion These having by G little and little insinuated themselves into her favour domineer'd at their pleasure displacing disposing imprisoning and restoring to liberty whom they pleased for no other purpose but that they might enjoy the Profits and Commodities of the Kingdom leaving to Alexandra nothing but the Expences and care of the Government H This Queen was always desirous of high attempts and daily studied to encrease her wealth She levied two Armies and hired many strangers whereby she not only strengthened her own Countrey but also made her self feared by other Nations Alexandra willingly obeyeth the Pharisees She ruled others but her self was ruled by the Pharisees who at last killed Diogenes a gallant man and highly in favour with King Alexander affirming that through his counsel the King commanded those eight hundred before-mentioned to be crucified The Pharisees by their envy and Accusations are the death of many good men And further they perswaded the Queen Alexandra that she should put to death all others through whose counsel Alexander her Husband had been incited against those eight hundred The Queen being blinded with Superstition thought it unlawful to deny any thing which they requested so that they put to death whom they I pleased till such time as the chiefest of those who were in this danger in humble wise came to Aristobulus Aristobulus expostulateth with his Mother who perswaded his Mother to spare some and to banish others who she thought had deserved punishment which Exiles dispersed themselves through the whole Countrey Now Alexandra sent an Army to Damascus and because Ptolomey daily vexed the City she took it without doing any thing worthy of memory She also solicited Tigranes King of Armenia with Gifts and Promises who with an Army had besieged Ptolemais wherein Cleopatra was but he for fear of troubles in his own Countrey in that Lucullus had entred into Armenia withdrew himself from thence Shortly after Alexandra falling sick Aristobulus proclaimeth himself King her youngest Son Aristobulus with his Servants K which were many in number all trusty and in the heat of their youth got all the Castles Alexandra imprisoneth Aristobulus's Wife and Children and hiring Soldiers with the money he found in those Castles he proclaimed himself King But Alexandra pitying the complaints of Hircanus imprisoned the Wife and Children of Aristobulus in a Castle near the North part of the Temple which in old time was called Baris as we said before afterwards Antonia from Antonius The year of the World 3863. before Christ's Nativity â—â— as in like manner Sebaste and Agrippias other Cities were named of Augustus and Agrippa But Alexandra died before she could revenge Hircanus of the wrongs which Aristobulus had done him This Queen reigned nine years and left Hircanus in possession of all whom during her life time she had advanced to the Kingdom But Aristobulus being both stronger in power Alexandra dieth and Hircanus succeedeth her in the Kingdom and greater in authority encountred with his L Brother about Jericho where many of Hircanus's Soldiers forsaking their King fled to Aristobulus so that he and the remnant that followed him were forced to fly into the Castle called Antonia where he found Hostages to redeem them for as we have already said Aristobulus his Wife and Children were imprisoned in that place Ant. l. 14 c. 1. And lest any worse mis-hap should betide him The Brethren contending for the Kingdom are accorded upon certain conditions he concluded a Peace upon condition that Aristobulus should be King and that he as Brother to the King should enjoy some other Dignities Upon these conditions they were made friends in the Temple where in the presence of all the people they friendly embraced each other which when they had done Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2 3 4. they changed houses and Aristobulus went to the King's Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus's house M CHAP. V. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians Antipater perswadeth Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and to crave his assistance to recover his Kingdom and of the taking of Jerusalem NOw a sudden fear invaded all the enemies of Aristobulus when they saw him contrary to all expectation made King and especially Antipater above all others whom Aristobulus had long hated This Antipater was an Idumaean born and for Nobility and Riches the chief and best reputed of his Nation This man perswaded N Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and crave his help to set him in his Kingdom He exhorted Aretas likewise to receive Hircanus and to help him to recover his Kingdom Antipater with Hircanus fly from Jerusalem by night to Aretas King of Arabia speaking much against the manners of Aristobulus and praising Hircanus adding that he being King of so famous a Nation ought to assist those who were unjustly oppressed and that Hircanus had manifest injury offered him being forced to forsake his Kingdom which by the right of Succession was due unto him After he had thus made his way he took in the night time Hircanus and fled with him out of the City and making all haste possible they arrived safe at a Town called Petra a Town where the King 's of Arabia are accustomed to keep their Court there he delivered Hircanus into the King's
received the Romans into the City and delivered to them the King's Palace Pompey sent a Captain called Piso with Soldiers to seize the same who leaving a Garrison in the Town seeing he could perswade none of them that were in the Temple to peace prepared all things necessary to batter it Aristobulus his friends fly to the Temple All which time Hircanus and his friends shewed themselves ready to help them to their power and to do whatsoever they were commanded Pompey at the North side filled the Ditch and Valley with earth which I his Soldiers carried though by reason of the great depth and for that the Jews made resistance it was a hard thing to be done and it had been left undone had not Pompey observing the seventh day wherein the Jews Religion obliged them to abstain from all labour caused it to be filled up those days forbidding the Soldiers to fight at that time to the intent he might fill the Ditch more conveniently for it was lawful for the Jews only to do what was necessary to sustain and defend their lives upon the Sabbath At last when the Ditch was filled and the Towers were built upon the Rampire he batter'd the Walls with those Engines that he brought from Tyre but they were beaten back by those who resisted from the top of the Walls who rouled stones at them Against the violent power whereof the Towers that were built in K that Quarter being of a great and goodly building resisted extreamly well But the Romans found hard work in this place and Pompey admired the valour of the Jews that being amongst the thickest of their enemies Darts they omitted no Ceremony of their Religion but as though they had had firm Peace they every day observed their Ceremonies offered Sacrifices and most diligently performed the Divine Service yea though every day they were killed at the Altar they ceased not from the Lawful Rites of their Religion At last in the third Month of the Siege during which scarcely one Tower was beaten down they brake into the Temple and the first that attempted to climb over the Wall was Cornelius Faustus Sylla's Son and after him two Centurions Furius and Fabius with their Regiments who compassing the Temple L about while some sought to hide themselves and others resisted they slew them all There were many Priests also among the rest who although they saw the enemies with naked Swords rushing upon them yet being nothing at all dismayed thereat continued still their Sacrifices and were slain even whilst they offered and incensed in the Temple preferring the duty they ow'd to their Religion even before their own safety Many also were slain by their own Countrey-men that favoured the adverse part and many cast themselves down headlong upon the Rocks others in their fury having desperately fired all things upon the Walls burnt themselves for company So that twelve thousand Jews were slain Twelve thousand Jews slain in the Temple but very few Romans though many hurt And amongst all that Massacre there was nothing so grievous to the Jews as that the Holy M Sanctuary which never any one saw before that time was revealed to strangers For Pompey Pompey and his followers enter the Sanctuary with his followers came into the Temple where it is lawful for none but the High Priest to come and saw the Candlesticks Lamps Table Censers and all the Golden Vessels and whatsoever was within the Temple Moreover he beheld the great quantity of Odoriferous Drugs Pompey's Continency which were kept in store in that place and two thousand Talents of Holy Money yet did he not take away these things nor any thing else belonging to the Temple But the day after it was taken he commanded the Sacristans to purge and make clean the Temple and to offer the usual Sacrifice He likewise confirmed Hircanus High Priest who had in all things shewed himself very forward Hircanus made High Priest and especially at the time of the Siege and also hindred a multitude of people N from joyning themselves with Aristobulus and thus like a good Captain he got the good will of the people more by love than by fear Amongst others that were Captives there was Aristobulus's Father-in-law who was also his Uncle Pompey causeth the chiefest Conspirators to be beheaded as for those that had been the chief cause of these Wars Pompey caused them to be beheaded He rewarded Faustus likewise and those who had fought valiantly with him with very rich Gifts and imposed a Tribute upon Jerusalem and took from that Nation the Cities which they had gotten in Coelosyria and appointed them to be governed by him who then was President for the Romans Pompey delivereth many goodly Cities from the subjection of the Jews making them keep within the bounds of their own Countrey And in favour of Demetrius of Gadara a freed-man of his he re-edified Gadara which the Jews had destroyed He O delivered the Mediterranean Cities from their Government for they had not as yet destroyed them because they were suddenly prevented namely Hippion Scythopolis A Pella The year of the World 3903. before Christ's Nativity 59. Samaria Marissa Azotus Jamnia and Arethusa The Towns also upon the Sea-coasts Gaza Joppa and Dora which was called Straton's Tower and afterward by Herod built sumptuously and called Caesarea All these Cities he restored to the Inhabitants and joyn'd them to Syria Of which and of Judaea and of all places from the Borders of Egypt to Euphrates he made Scaurus Governour leaving him two Legions of Soldiers Aristobulus and his Family carried to Rome Which done he took his journey to Rome by Cilicia leading Aristobulus and his Family Captives with his two Daughters and two Sons the elder whereof called Alexander escaped in the way the younger whose name was Antigonus was with his Father and Sisters carried to Rome B CHAP. VI. Of the War of Alexander with Hircanus and also of Aristobulus SCaurus advanced with his Army into Arabia Ant. lib. 14. cap. 9. but being by the difficulty of the place hindred The Arabian is reconciled to Scaurus that he could not come to Petra he wasted all the Countrey adjoyning to Pella although whilst he stayed to do this he endured much evil for there arose a great Famine in his Army notwithstanding that Hircanus by Antipater's C means Ant. lib. 14. cap. 10. sent them Victuals Scaurus also sent the same Antipater as his familiar Friend to Aretas to perswade him that by disbursing some money he should work his Peace To which motion Aretas condescended and gave him three hundred Talents and so Scaurus with his Army departed out of Arabia In the mean time Alexander the Son of Aristobulus who Alexander Aristobulus's Son gathers a great power against Hircanus in the way to Rome escaped from Pompey gathered together a great Army and straitly beset Hircanus wasting all
Judaea and hoped quickly to take Jerusalem because the Wall which was destroyed by Pompey had not been built up again But Gabinius a great Captain who was sent into Syria to succeed Scaurus march'd with an Army against him Whereupon The year of the World 3904. before Christ's Nativity 58. fearing the worst he assembled all the Forces he could to make resistance D so that he had ten thousand Foot and a thousand and five hundred Horse He fortified also the commodious places of the Countrey to wit Alâ—â—candrium Hircania and Machaeron which are near the Mountains of Arabia Gabinius sent Marcus Antonius before him with part of the Army Alexander gathereth ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse and followed after with the rest and certain chosen men out of Antipater's Company and other Companies of the Jews whereof Malichus and Pitholaus were made chief joyned themselves with Marcus Antonius and presently after them followed Gabinius with all his Company to meet Alexander Alexander perceiving himself unable to encounter all those united Forces Antipater with his Forces goeth out to meet Alexander fled but drawing near Jerusalem he was constrained to hazard the fight where losing to the E number of six thousand whereof three thousand were taken alive and other three thousand slain he escaped with the rest Alexander fighteth with his Enemies and loseth six thousand men Gabiâ—ius pursued him and as soon as he came to the Castle called Alexandrium understanding that many Jews had forsaken their Colours he by promising them Pardon sought to unite them to his Party again but when he perceived that they hammered on no abject resolution he slew the most of them Marcus Antonius a Captain and for the rest he drove them into the Castle In this Battel Marcus Antonius did many things worthy of renown and although he had always shewed himself valiant yet there especially his courage appeared Gabinius leaving some to besiege the Castle went to the Cities of the Province and strengthned those that were not yet assaulted and re-edified those that were destroyed and by his Commandment F Scythopolis What Cities the Jews received to inhabit Samaria Anthedon Apollonia Jamnia Raphia Marissa Dora Gadara and Azotus and many more began to be inhabited so that their Inhabitants joyfully returned and dwelt therein Which when he had done he returned to Alexandrium Ant. lib. 14. cap. 11. and began a more close Siege whereat Alexander being terrified and made desperate Alexander's Mother striveth to pacifie Gabinius with rewards sent Ambassadours to him beseeching him to pardon him promising to render unto him the Castles of Machaeron and Hircania which were in his power besides Alexandrium All which Gabinius by counsel of Alexander's Mother destroyed lest they might be occasion of new Wars For the apprehension which this Princess had for her Husband The change of the Government of the Jews and for her other Children Prisoners at Rome made her omit nothing to endeavour to gain the affection of Gabinius After this Gabinius carried G Hircanus to Jerusalem and committing the Temple to his charge he committed to others of the Nobility the care of the Commonwealth Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1â— and divided the whole Nation of the Jews into five parts and Governments whereof one was established at Jerusalem another at Doris the third at Amathon the fourth at Jericho and the fifth at Sephoris H a City of Galilee And the Jews being delivered from the Government of one man only willingly suffered themselves to be ruled by an Aristocratical Government But shortly after Aristobulus escaping from Rome raised new troubles and gathering a great Army Aristobulus escaping from Rome raiseth new troubles partly of those that desired a change and partly of such as loved him before took Alexandrium and began to compass it again with a Wall But hearing that Gabinius had sent Sisenna Antonius and Servilius against him with an Army he went to Machaeron Aristobulus fighteth with the Romans and dismissing those that were not fit for War he took with him only eight thousand armed men amongst whom was Pitholaus Governour of them that were revolted who with one thousand men fled out of Jerusalem But the Romans pursued them and joyning Battel with them Aristobulus with his men fought I valiantly till being by force overcome the Romans slew five thousand of them and almost two thousand men fled into a Mountain and the other thousand breaking the Ranks of the Romans with Aristobulus retreated to Machaeron where the King hiding himself the first night amongst the Ruines hoped that having respit he might gather another Army The Romans obtain the Victory and carry away Aristobulus and his Son to Rome and fortifie the Castle But having for two days sustained the Forces of the Romans with extraordinary courage at last he was taken and with his Son Antigonus who had been imprisoned with him at Rome he was carried to Gabinius and from thence to Rome where the Senate put him in Prison but his Sons they sent into Judaea because Gabinius writ that he had so promised Aristobulus's Wife upon condition the Castles might be yielded K Whilst Gabinius prepared to war against the Parthians Ptolomey hindred him being returned from Euphrates into Egypt Antipater and Hircanus assisted him with all things belonging to the War as Money Weapons Corn and Men and Antipater perswaded the Jews who kept the ways that lead to Pelusium to suffer Gabinius to pass Now Alexander Aristobulus's Son once more provoketh the Jews to Rebellion in the other part of Syria at the departure of Gabinius there began a Commotion and Alexander Aristobulus's Son once more incited the Jews to Rebellion and having gathered a mighty power purposed to destroy all the Romans that were in that Countrey Which Gabinius fearing who was returned out of Egypt at the beginning of these tumults he sent Antipater before who perswaded some of the Rebels to be quiet yet thirty thousand remained with Alexander For which cause he was L very forward to fight The Jews overcome by the Romans and went out to Battel near Itabyrium they fought the Romans prevailed and ten thousand were slain and the rest were put to flight and Gabinius returned to Jerusalem by the counsel of Antipater Gabinius overcometh the Nabathaeans in Battel where having established all things he marched thence and overcame the Nabathaeans in Battel he likewise permitted Mithridates and Orsanes two Parthian Noblemen who were fled to him from the Parthians Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. secretly to depart saying that they had escaped from the Soldiers In the mean time Crassus who was appointed to be his Successor had Syria delivered him Marcus Crassus taketh away the rest of the Gold of the Temple and towards the maintenance of the Parthian Wars he took all the Gold that was in the Temple of Jerusalem besides the two
bridle his displeasure yet dissembled the same Cassius chargeth Herod by letters to revenge his fathers death and sent letters to Cassius wherein he complained of his fathers death Cassius already hated Malichus sufficiently and so he writ again to Herod willing him to revenge his father's death which that he might the better effect he secretly commanded the Captains of his Regiment to assist him Now for that after the surprizal of Laodicea all the best of the City came to Herod bringing presents and crowns he appointed this for a fit time of his intended revenge which Malichus suspecting as he was near Tyre he purposed secretly to get away his son who was there a pledge and to flee into Judaea But despair of his own safety urged him to greater matters for he hoped to incite the Jews to take Arms against the Romans N whilst Cassius was now busie in the War against Antonius so that he thought he might easily depose Hircanus and make himself King But God prevented these vain hopes For Herod suspecting he had some great design invited him and Hircanus to supper in order to which he made a shew as though he had sent one of his servants to cause a banquet to be prepared but indeed he sent him to the Roman Captains to tell them to lie in wait for Malichus who remembring what charge Cassius gave them The decree of fate laugheth at humane hope came forth of the City to the shore next adjoyning to the Town all armed with swords where compassing Malichus round about they killed him with many wounds Hircanus hereat astonished fell in a swoon and being scarcely come to himself Herod's Tribunes kill Malichus he demanded who killed Malichus one of the Captains answered that Cassius O gave the commandment whereupon he answered truly Cassius hath preserved me and my Country in killing him who was a Traitour to us both but whether herein A he spake as he thought The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 39. or that for fear he approved the fact it is uncertain Thus was Herod revenged upon Malichus CHAP. X. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 20. How Herod was accused and set free Felix cometh with an army against Phasaelus AFter Cassius was departed from Syria Phasaelus overcometh Felix and reproacheth Hircanus with ingratitude there arose another sedition in Jerusalem B for Felix came with an Army against Phasaelus to be revenged upon Herod for killing Malichus It chanced that Herod was at that time at Damascus with Fabius a Roman Captain and would have come to assist Phasaelus but by the way he fell sick so that he could not succour him but it so fell out that Phasaelus without any help did of himself overcome Felix and afterwards reproached Hircanus as ungrateful in that he had both favoured Felix and suffered Malichus's brother to seize upon divers place as already he had done and especially one of greatest strength called Massada Yet all these did not protect him from Herod who was no sooner recovered of his sickness but presently he retook them all and at Hircanus's request permitted him to depart He also chased Marion whom Cassius had made Prince of the Tyrians C out of Galilee who had got three Castles in that Country As for the Tyrians that he took he spared their lives and sent some away with rewards whereby he got the good will of the City and the hatred of the Tyrant Which Marion had gotten into his hands all Syria and for the hatred he bore to Herod took with him Antigonus Aristobulus's Son and marched against him and by Fabius's means whom Antigonus had gained to himself by money Antigonus Aristobulus's Son put to flight by Herod he also got Ptolemy to assist him in this expedition which Ptolemy was father-in-law to Antigonus and furnished him with all necessaries Herod likewise having prepar'd himself against them gave them battel in the entrance into Judea and got the victory and having put Antigonus to flight he returned to Jerusalem where he was honoured by all men for his courage in that victory so that even they D that before despised him now by reason of his affinity newly contracted with Hircanus sought his friendship and familiarity This Herod long before this time had a wife which was a noble woman of his own Country Doris Herod's first wife of good birth by whom he had Antipater named Doris and had by her a Son named Antipater but he then married Mariamne daughter of Alexander who was Aristobulus his son and of Alexandra Hircanus his daughter by reason whereof he came to be in favour with the King But when Cassius was slain near Philippi Caesar departed into Italy The chiefest Jews repair to Caesar to accuse Phasaelus and Herod and Antonius into Asia at which time the chief of the Jews came and accused Phasaelus and Herod alledging that they by force got unto themselves the rule of the Country and left Hircanus only the bare name of King But Herod being then present so wrought himself into Antonius's favour by a great sum of money E that he permitted not his enemies to speak one word more Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. who thereupon returned home Afterward an hundred men of the most honourable amongst the Jews repaired to Daphne near Antioch to Antonius now doting on the love of Cleopatra and offered an accusation against the two brethren having chosen some of the greatest Quality and Eloquence to speak for them Messala undertook their defence being assisted by Hircanus Antonius having heard both parties demanded of Hircanus whom he thought the fittest to govern the Common-wealth who answered Herod and his brethren Whereat Antonius was exceeding glad for he had been most courteously entertained by Antipater when he came with Gabinius into Judea and thereupon he made them Tetrarchs Antonius maketh the two brothers Tetrarchs committing to them the rule of all Judaea F which when the Jews Ambassadors misliked he put fifteen of them in prison and was near resolving to put them to death the rest he sent away after he had treated them very ill The Jews once more complain against the two brothers Whereupon there arose greater tumults in Jerusalem and the Jews sent another Embassage of a thousand men to Tyre where Antonius resided with an intent to come against Jerusalem Antonius displeased with their murmurs and complaints commanded the Magistrates of Tyre to kill all they could catch of the Jews and to maintain their Authority Antonius commandeth in Zyre whom he himself had constituted Tetrarchs But Herod and Hircanus went to these Deputies who walk'd on the Sea-shore admonishing them earnestly to be contented lest by their indiscreet proceeding they should become not only the cause of their own deaths but also of War against their own Country G but because they would not be reclaimed by these admonitions Antonius sent
waste all the Countrey and even Silo himself offered to be gone and exhorted others to do the like But Herod seeing G himself ready to be forsaken went to the Captains that served under Silo and calling many of the Soldiers together requested them not to forsake him at that exigent whom Caesar Antonius and the whole Senate as they knew had sent thither promising them that within one day he would relieve all their necessities When he had thus H entreated them himself went about the Fields and brought them so much Provision that he cut off all Silo's excuses and forecasting lest hereafter there should be any want he sent Letters to Samaria which City about this time had put it self under his protection willing them to bring Victuals Herod gâ—â—hereth great store of provision and Wine and Oyl and Cattel to Jericho Antigonus hearing this presently sent certain of his men to lie in Ambush in the Fields and suddenly to set upon those that came for Provision and kill them and so hinder them from carrying any Victuals to the Camp according to his Commandment there went a great number of Soldiers to Jericho and placed themselves upon the Mountains with an intent to espy if any body carried Provision to the Army In the mean time Herod rested not Herod accompanied with ten Troops cometh to Jericho for taking with him ten Companies five of the Romans and I five of the Jews with three hundred Mercenaries and a few Horse he came to Jericho where he found the City without Inhabitants and five hundred with their Wives and Families had placed themselves upon the tops of the Mountains whom when he had surprized The Romans got a great Prey he permitted to depart But the Romans brake into the City and sacked it where they found the houses stored with all manner of Riches and the King leaving a Garrison at Jericho returned He sent likewise the Roman Soldiers to the Provinces which were on his side to wit Idumaea Galilee and Samaria that they might abide there till Winter was past Antigonus also thâ—ough Silo's means whom by money he had made his friend obtained that a part of his Army might during the Winter time abide at Lidda that he might by this means obtain the favour of Antonius K and the Romans being now discharged from the Wars lived in great ease and plenty All this time Herod was not idle but accompanied with two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse he went about Idumaea and sent also his Brother Joseph lest by Antigonus's means the people should rebel And having carried his Mother and the rest of his Kindred whom he took from Massada into Samaria and placed them where no danger might betide them himself went into Galilee to subdue that part of the Countrey which as yet was not in his hands and to expel from thence the Garrisons left by Antigonus Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. And when he was come to Sephoris notwithstanding there was a very great Snow Herod taketh the City of â—â—phoris he easily took it for the Garrison fled before he assaulted it and finding L there great store of Provision he refreshed his Soldiers which now with Winter weather were much harassed and then sent them against the great number of Thieves that infested that Province and lay lurking in Dens and Caves and who making often incursions upon the Countrey molested the Inhabitants no less than if they had been an Army of Enemies Herod setteth forth against the Thieves And sending before three Companies of Foot and one Troop of Horse into a Village called Arbela himself forty days after came thither with the whole Army For all this the Thieves feared him not but arming themselves came to meet him trusting to their experience in Warlike affairs and their own desperate courage The Battel being joyned the Right Wing of their Party put the Left Wing of Herod's to flight but he with his Right Wing presently succoured them M and recalled his men that fled and rushing violently upon his enemies he a little stopped their career till at last the Fore-front of their Battel not able to stand any longer fled Herod pursued them even unto Jordan and killed many of them those that escaped fled over the River And thus he freed Galilee from that fear save that yet there were left some lurking in the Caves by whom he was constrained to make a longer stay Wherefore first of all he gave the Soldiers some fruit of their labours distributing to every one of them an hundred and fifty Drachmes of Silver and unto the Captains more and so he sent them where they should pass the Winter Also he writ unto his youngest Brother Pheroras to provide necessaries for them and to build a Wall about the Castle of Alexandrium which he performed N In the mean while Antonius passed the time about Athens The year of the World 3926. before Christ's Nativity 36. and Ventidius sent for Silo and Herod to assist him in the War against the Parthians after they had settled the affairs of Judaea so as no longer to need their presence Herod willingly sent Silo unto Ventidius and in the mean time he with his Army went against the Thieves in the Caves Ant. lib. 14. cap. 25. These Caves were in very steep Mountains so that there was no way to come to them save only by crooked and very narrow passages And these Mountains were all Rocks of Stone The description of the Caves where the Thieves kept hanging over the Valleys so that the King a great while was doubtful what to do seeing the place so inaccessible At last Herod devised a way scarcely heard of before for he put the valiantest of his men into Chests and so let them down to the mouths of the Caves where they killed the Thieves and their Families and put O fire to them that resisted And Herod seeking to save some of them caused a Trumpet to publish to them that they might come to him with safety but there was not one A that came and those that were forced chose rather to kill themselves than be his Captives So that an old man having seven Sons and a Wife who all requested him that they might go forth to the King and save their lives killed them all after this manner Himself stood before the door of the Cave and bad them come forth one by one and always as one of them came forth he killed him And Herod being in a place where he might behold this spectacle being moved with compassion stretched forth his hand and requested him to spare his Children But he being nothing moved to compassion by Herod's words upbraided Herod's meanness of mind and having butchered his Sons he also killed his Wife and casting the dead bodies down into the Valleys at last he cast himself likewise down headlong B Herod having thus taken the Caves and
defeat Machaera Herod on the other side went about the enemies Countrey and took five Towns and destroyed two thousand of the Inhabitants and firing the houses returned to his Army near a Village called Cana. Every day there came flocking to him a very great number of Jews both from Jericho and other parts of the Countrey some out of hatred to Antigonus and others out of love of change and an esteem of Herod Whilst thus he hasted to fight Pappus with his men neither fearing the multitude nor strength of their enemies came fiercely upon them and offered Battel Which being begun those that were not engaged against Herod resisted a while but Herod remembring his Brother's death ventured more than the rest to the end to be revenged upon them that were the Authors thereof M and so he easily overcame the enemies and still assaulting the fresh men put them all to flight There was a mighty slaughter for many being forced to flee into the Village from whence they came he pursued them and slew an infinite number though all the houses and house-tops were full of armed men to defend it After he had slain those that were abroad he overthrew the houses and so forced them that were within to come forth Others he killed in Companies with the ruines of the houses wherein they were and if any one chanced to escape the Soldiers without killed them So that the heaps of dead bodies were so great The number of the Carcases hinder the Soldiers passage that they who had the Victory could not pass thorough the streets for them Those of the Countrey were so dismayed with this overthrow that the whole multitude of them fled away and Herod by the benefit of N his good fortune had even then come to Jerusalem had not a great storm hindred him which was the only cause that at that time he got not a full Conquest and Antigonus was not utterly overthrown who through fear and desperation was preparing to leave the City But Herod towards night having given his friends leave to depart to refresh themselves being himself heated with his Armour after the manner of Soldiers entred into a Bath accompanied only with one Page And as he was there three of his enemies that had escaped out of the Battel and came to the Bath to hide themselves seeing the King there were so terrified with the King's Presence although at that time he was naked and weaponless that they thought of nothing but flight and being no body was present there to surprize them they escaped and Herod was very O well contented that he had no harm by them Herod beheadeth Pappus Antigonus 's Captain The next day he beheaded Pappus who was the General of Antigonus his Army and sent his head to his Brother Pheroras to comfort him for their common loss for Pappus was he that slew Joseph A The Winter being past The year of the World 3928. before Christ's Nativity 34. he with his Army came to Jerusalem and besieged it pitching his Tents before the Temple where it was easiest to take the City and where formerly Pompey had entred it It was now the third year after Herod had been declared King at Rome Now when he had quartered his Army as he thought best for his purpose Aâ—t lib. 14. cap. 12. and divided the Suburbs he caused three Rampiers to be raised for Towers to be built upon them and leaving there his trusty friends that would not slack their business Jerusalem besieged he went to Samaria to visit Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander who was Son to Aristobulus formerly as we before made mention espoused to him And he wedded her even in the time of the Siege to shew how he contemned his enemies After his Marriage-rites were performed he returned to Jerusalem with a far greater B Army Sosius also seconded him with a great Army of Foot and Horse whom he sent before him through the midst of the Countrey and he himself came after by Phoenicia Now when all his whole Army was joyned together The year of the world 3929. before Christ's Nativity 33. to the number of about eleven Legions of Foot and six thousand Horse besides the Syrians that came to help him which were no small number he laid his Assault and Battery to the Northermost Wall He grounded his Right upon the Decree of the Senate whereby he was declared to be King The Jews valiantly defend themselves Sosius also was warranted by Antonius's Letters whereby he commanded him to help Herod with all the Forces under his Command Mean-while the Jews that were within the City were diversly troubled for the weaker sort gathering themselves together about the Temple deplored their unhappiness and envied C the felicity of those that died before they were reduced to these miseries But those who were hardiest among them joyning themselves together robbed and took away what they could especially Victuals from those places that were next the City so that they neither left meat for Horses nor Men And the valiantest of them all being set to defend the Walls against those that besieged them hindred the Adversaries from erecting their Batteries by some new device Neither did they any ways prevail so much as by their Mines The King sought to repress the Excursions of the Plunderers by placing an Ambush of men to intercept them and relieved the want and scarcity of Victuals by fetching Provision from places far distant But notwithstanding they in fight failed not to express incredible valour yet did the military experience of the D Romans surpass them A wall no sooner began to totter but they wrought with so great diligence to make another that this was finished before that was fallen In a word they neither spared hands nor Engines but were all of them determined to fight it out to the last And although they were besieged by two so potent Armies yet they defended the Town five months Herod's Soldiers after five months Siege enter the City But at last certain of Herod's bravest men by a breach entered the City and the Romans the like on another side Those places nearest the Temple were the first that they seized upon afterwards the whole Army entring the City it was lamentable to see how in every corner the people were massacred Slaughter in Jerusalem for the Romans being displeased that the Siege continued so long time became more cruel and Herod's Army endeavoured to let none of the adverse part escape E So that many were slain both in the streets and in their own houses yea even then also when they fled into the Temple without respect of Age or Sex For although the King commanded the Soldiers to spare the people yet for all that they never restrained their cruel hands but like mad men raged against all men women and children Sosius taketh Antigonus Antigonus not considering his former condition came and
Antonia He built himself also a Palace in the upper part of the City Herod's Buildings and in it two very great Apartments so rich and admirable that no Temple was to be compared to them He termed one of them Caesarea and the other Agrippias in honour of Augustus and Agrippa But it was not only by Palaces that he would preserve his Name to Posterity and immortalize F his memory but in the Countrey of Samaria he built a fair City with a Wall which was about twenty stades in circuit and called it Sebaste and he sent thither six thousand Inhabitants giving them a most fertile Soil and sundry Privileges There also amongst other Buildings he erected a very fair Temple and dedicated it to Caesar About this Temple there was a piece of ground containing three stades and an half For this Testimony of Herod's affection Caesar added to his Dominion another Countrey In gratitude for which Herod erected another Temple of White Marble to him near the head of Jordan in a place called Panium where there is a Mountain rising very high into the air at the side whereof is an obscure Valley where there are high Rocks that by spouts of water falling on them are made hollow so that the water standing in G their concavity till they run over The Fountain head of Jordan falleth down with a stream of such a depth as is admirable At the foot of this Valley on the outside spring certain Fountains which many think to be the head of the River Jordan which whether it be true or no we will declare hereafter At Jericho also between the Castle of Cyprus and the other ancient Palaces he erected H other Buildings fairer and more commodious than the former calling them after the names of Augustus and Agrippa Finally there was no convenient place in the whole Kingdom wherein he erected not something in honour of Caesar and having in every place of his own Kingdom devised and dedicated Temples unto him in Syria also where he ruled he did the like founding in many Cites Temples which he called by the name of Caesar Aud perceiving that amongst the Cities of the Sea-coast there was one called Straton's Tower which being very old and ruinated and for the scituation thereof deserving reparation and cost he repaired it with White Stone and built a very Royal Palace therein in which work more than in any other he shewed how great and high his mind was For this stands in the midst between Dora I and Joppa in a Coast where there was no Port or Haven so that they who sail from Phaenicia into Egypt are in great danger by reason of the violent Winds that blow from Africa whose blasts enforce the water with such violence against the Rocks on the shore that the waves rebounding back again a good way within the Sea make the whole Sea tempestuous Herod makes a greater Port than that of Pâ—rarum .. But the King by his liberality and cost overcoming nature built Stations for Ships And although the nature of the place was altogether contrary to his intent yet he so overcame all difficulty that the Sea could do that Building no harm And it was so goodly and beautiful to behold that one would have thought there had been no difficulty in this admirable work An apt description of a Haven For having measured out a sit place for the Port he laid a Foundation twenty ells deep of Stone K whereof most of them were fifty foot long nine foot thick and ten foot broad and some bigger and all the bottom of the Haven where the water came was laid with these stones Which done he raised a Mole of two hundred foot whereof one hundred foot served to break the violence of the waves the other hundred foot served for a Foundation of the Wall wherewith the Haven was compassed and on which were built many goodly Towers the greatest and fairest whereof he called Drusius after the name of Drusus the Son of the Empress Livia Wife of Augustus Within the Port there were very many Vaults also to store such Merchandize as was brought into the Haven and divers other Vaults for Sea men to lodg in A very pleasant Descent which might serve for a Walk encompassed the whole Port The entrance hereunto L was on the North side for by reason of the scituation of the place the North Wind there is the calmest On either side of the entrance were three great Colosses set on Pilasters those on the left hand are propped up by a Tower being a solid Rock of Stone But at the entrance on the right hand were two huge stones joyned together which make a greater Tower than the other There is also a house adjoyning to the Haven built of white Stone The Streets of the City leading to this place are of one bigness and proportion Upon a Hill opposite to the mouth of the Haven he built a Temple very beautiful and exceeding great which he dedicated to Caesar wherein was placed Caesar's Statue full as great as that of Jupiter at Olympus for it was made after that Model and M another of Rome like that of Juno at Argos The City he built for the benefit of the Inhabitants of the Province Caesarea in times past called the Tower of Straton and the Port or Haven for Commerce All this he did in honour of Caesar after whose name he called it Caesarea And that nothing might be wanting to render it worthy so glorious a name he added to so many great works the fairest Market-place in the World Ant. lib 15. cap. 10. 12. besides a Theatre and an Amphitheatre not inferiour to the rest Ant. lib. 17. cap. 5. He also appointed Games and Spectacles to be celebrated every fifth year in honour of Augustus And himself first began them in the 192 Olympiade and he proposed great rewards not only to the Victors but also to the second and third after them Agrippium Moreover he repaired Anthedon which was destroyed by the Wars and called it Agrippina in honour of Agrippa whose name he caused to be engraven N over the Portal he built to the Temple Antipatris Nether was he unmindful of his Parents for in the richest Soil of the whole Kingdom he built a City in memory of his Father and by his name called it Antipatris being in a very rich Soil both for Woods and Rivers Cyprus At Jericho also he built a very goodly and strong Castle and called it Cyprus Phasaelus's Tower in honour of his Mother He likewise built a Tower in memory of his Brother Phasaelus at Jerusalem and called it Phasaelus his Tower of the strength and beauty of which we shall speak hereafter He also called another City Phasaelus which is scituate in a Valley beyond Jericho towards the North. Having thus eternized the memory of his Friends and Kindred he did not forget to
discontent and moreover being emboldened by the love which he bare her Mariamne hatefully upbraideth Herod with Hircanus's death she every day upbraided him with that which he had done to Hircanus her Uncle and to her Brother Aristobulus For Herod spared him not although he was a Child but after he had made him High Priest in the seventeenth year of his age he presently put him to death after he had so honoured him who when he came to the Altar clothed in sacred attire upon a Festival day all the people K wept for joy which caused so great a jealousie in Herod that the same night he sent him to Jericho to be drowned in a Lake by the Galatians who had received commission to perform the murther These things did Mariamne daily cast in Herod's teeth and upbraided both his Mother and Sister with very sharp and reproachful words Herod's Mother and Sister do falsly accuse Mariamne to him yet he so loved her that notwithstanding all this he held his peace But the women were set on fire and that they might the rather move Herod against her they accused her of adultery and of many other things which bare a shew of truth objecting against her that she had sent her picture into Egypt to Antonius and that through immoderate lust she did what she could to make her self known unto him who doted upon womens love and was of sufficient power to do what wrong L he pleased Hereat Herod was much moved Herod secretly chargeth Joseph to kill his wife especially for that he was jealous of her whom he loved bethinking himself upon the cruelty of Cleopatra for whose sake King Lysanias and Malichus King of Arabia were put to death and now he measured not the danger by the loss of his wife but by his own death which he feared For which cause being drawn by his affairs into the Country he gave secret commandment to Joseph his Sister Salomes husband whom he knew to be trusty and one who for affinity was his well-willer to kill his wife Mariamne if so be Antonius should have killed him But Joseph not maliciously but simply to shew how greatly the King loved her disclosed that secret unto her and she when Herod was returned and amongst other talk M with many Oaths sware that he never loved woman but her Indeed said she it may well be known how greatly you love me by the commandment you gave to Joseph whom you charged to kill me Herod's suspicion betwixt Joseph and his wife Herod hearing this which he thought to be secret was like a mad man and presently perswaded himself that Joseph would never have disclosed that commandment of his except he had abused her so that hereupon he became furious and leaping out of his bed he walked up and down the Palace whereupon his Sister Salome having fit opportunity confirmed his suspicion of Joseph For which cause Herod growing now raging mad with jealousie commanded both of them to be killed Which being done his wrath was seconded by Repentance and after his anger ceased Herod commandeth both Joseph and Mariamne to be slain the passion of love was presently renewed yea so great was N the power of his affection that he would not believe she was dead but spake unto her as though she were alive until in process of time being ascertained of her funeral he equalled the affection he bare her during her life by the vehemency of his passion for her death Mariamnes Sons inheritors of her displeasure Mariamnes Sons succeeded their Mother in her hatred and recogitating what an impious act it was they accounted their Father as a mortal enemy both before and after they went to study at Rome and especially after they returned again into Judea The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. For as they grew in years so did the violence of their revenge increase And being now marriageable one of them married the Daughter of their Aunt Salome who accused their Mother the other married the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia And now to their hatred was joyned a liberty to speak O more freely against their Father and by this occasion of their boldness many were animated to calumniate them so that some did openly tell the King that both his A Sons sought to work treason against him and that the one of them prepared an Army to help the other to revenge the death of their Mother and that the other to wit he that was Son-in-law to Archelaus purposed to flee and accuse Herod before Caesar Herod giving ear to those calumniations sent for Antipater whom he had by Doris Herod's debate with those Sons he had by Mariamne to the end he might defend him against his two Sons and sought to advance him above them But they thought this alteration intolerable seeing one whose Mother was but a private woman so preferred and they exalted with their own Nobleness of Birth could not contain their indignation but upon every occasion shewed themselves offended Ant. lib. 16. cap. 4. by reason of which imprudence they were every day less accounted of As for Antipater he wrought himself into favour for he B knew how to flatter his Father Antipater by disgracing his Brothers is declared his Fathers heir and raised many slanders on his two Brethren partly invented by himself partly divulged by some of his Favourites whom he set awork about the matter till at last he put his Brethren out of all hope of having the Kingdom For he was now by the Kings Will and testament declared King so that he was sent as a King to Caesar in a Kingly habit and pomp only he wore no Crown and in time he so prevailed that he wrought his Mother into Mariamnes stead Herod accuseth Alexander before Caesar and with flatteries and calumniations so moved the King that he began to deliberate about putting his Sons to death For which cause he conducted his Son Alexander with him to Rome and accused him before Caesar that he had given him poyson But he with much ado having obtained lieve to plead his own cause and that before C a Judge more wise than Herod or Antipater he modestly held his peace in all things his Father had offended in and first of all he cleared his Brother Aristobulus from that crime in which he was involved with himself And afterwards he inveighed against Antipater's subtilty and complained of those injuries which had been offered him having beside the equity of his cause sufficient eloquence to acquit himself for he was a vehement Orator and knew well how to perswade Last of all he objected that his Father having a desire to put both him and his Brother to death A reconciliation between Herod and his Sons had laid an accusation upon him whereat the whole Audience wept and Caesar was so moved that not regarding the accusations that
by their Offices for one of them was his Butler the other was his Cook and the third waited upon him in his Bed-chamber These three Alexander with great gifts corrupted G Which the King understanding by torments forced them to confess and declare with what promises they were thereto by Alexander induced and how he had deceived them by affirming that there was no trusting to Herod who was a morose old man The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. and that he died his hair to make himself seem young and that in despight of H him he would be his Successor and then he would be revenged upon his enemies and make his friends happy and especially them And that the whole Nobility secretly joyned with him and the Captains of the Army and Governours privily came to him Herod feareth his Son Alexander Hereat Herod was so terrified that he durst not presently divulge their confessions but night and day he sent out spies to learn what was said or done and whom he suspected them he presently killed so that his whole Kingdom was full of Blood-shed For every one as his malice moved him feigned Calumniations and many desirous of Blood-shed abused the King's passion as they pleased against their enemies Credit was given to every lie and no man was so soon accused but presently he was punished and he who presently before accused others was now accused himself and I carried to be punished with him whom he had accused Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. For the King's jealousy shortned the time of Trial for their lives and he became so tyrannous that he afforded not a good look Herod's cruelty even to them that were not accused but shewed himself most fierce and violent to his dearest friends So that he banished many out of his Kingdom and railed against such as he had no power over Antipater encreased this mischief more and more by employing all his friends to accomplish the ruine of Alexander By whose rumours and tales the King was so possessed that he fancied always that he saw Alexander before him with a drawn Sword Herod casteth Alexander into Prison and tortured his friends For which cause he suddenly cast him in Prison and tortured his friends many of which died in torments because they would not confess more than in conscience was true Others not able to endure the torments K were forced to confess that Alexander and his Brother Aristobulus designed Treason against their Father and that they expected their time till he went a hunting resolving with themselves that having killed him they would presently flee to Rome Although these and such like Calumniations were no ways probable yet extremity of pain forced men to invent them and the King willingly believed them as it were comforting himself thereby that he might not be thought to have imprisoned his Son unjustly Alexander perceiving that it was impossible for him to remove his Father's suspicion Alexander during his imprisonment wrote four Books against his enemies thought it best to yield himself guilty and so he made four Writings wherein he confessed the Treason and nominated his partakers therein namely Pheroras and Salome who were the chief which later he said had been so impudently L unchaste as to come in the night to him without his consent and lie in his bed These Writings which charged the greatest amongst the Nobility with most heinous matters were in Herod's hands when Archelaus fearing his Son-in-law and Daughter to be in great danger speedily came into Judaea and by his prudence appeased the King's wrath For so soon as he came to Herod he cryed Where is that wicked Son-in-law of mine or where may I see the face of that wretch that goeth about to murther his Father that I may tear him in pieces with mine own hands and marry my Daughter to a better Husband For although she be not privy to his counsel yet 't is enough to make her infamous that she is Wife to such a man Nay I admire your patience who are in such danger Archelaus King of Cappadocia and suffer Alexander yet to live For I came thus hastily out of Cappadocia thinking M he had been put to death to talk with you concerning my Daughter whom I married to him for your sake Wherefore now let us take counsel what to do with them both and seeing you are too Father-like and not able to punish your Son your treacherous Son let 〈◊〉 change rooms and let me be in your place to revenge you How great soever Herod's choler was this discourse of Archelaus disarmed it And Herod shewed him the Books that Alexander had writ Archelaus and Herod consult upon Alexander's Book and upon reading every Chapter with deliberation Archelaus took occasion fit for his purpose and by little and little laid all the fault on Pheroras and those that were accused in the Book And perceiving the King to give ear unto him Let us said he consider whether the young man hath not been circumvented by the treachery of so many malicious persons and not of himself formed a design against N you For there appears no cause why he should fall into such wickedness who already enjoyed the honours of the Kingdom and hoped to succeed you therein had he not been perswaded thereto by other men who seeing him a young man enticed him to such an attempt For we see that by such persons not only young men but also old men and most Noble Families Herod is incensed against his Brother Pheroras yea and whole Kingdomes are ruinated Herod upon these speeches began somewhat to relent and abate his animosity against Alexander but encreased it towards Pheroras for he was the Subject of the whole Book Pheroras perceiving the King so to trust to Archelaus's friendship that he was led by him to do what he pleased he in humble manner came to Archelans seeking humbly for succour at his hands of whom he had not deserved any favour Archelaus answered him that he knew O no ways to obtain his Pardon who was guilty of so heinous Crimes and convicted manifestly to have practised High Treason against the King 's own Person and to be A the cause of all these miseries that had now befallen the young man except that he would lay aside all subtil dealing and denying of his Fact and confess the Crimes whereof he was accused and so humbly go to his Brother who loved him dearly and crave pardon promising that if he would so do he would do him what good he could Pheroras attired in a mourning garment with tears falleth before Herod's feet and craveth pardon Hereupon Pheroras obeyed Archelaus's counsel and putting on a black Attire in a pitiful manner and with tears he prostrated himself at Herod's feet and craving pardon obtained it confessing himself to be a most wicked and vile person and to be guilty of all that
which was objected against him and that the cause which moved him to do all these things was the frantick and mad fits he fell into for the love of that woman After Pheroras had thus become his own Accuser and a Witness B against himself Pheroras by Archelaus's means pacifieth Herod Archelaus endeavoured to mitigate Herod's wrath towards him and excuse his fault by alledging for example that his Brother had attempted greater matters against him whom notwithstanding for Relation's sake he had pardoned Adding that in every Kingdom as in mighty bodies frequently some part begins to inflame which notwithstanding is not presently to be cut off but to be cured by easie means Archelaus using many speeches to Herod to this purpose at last quite appeased his wrath towards Pheroras Archelaus compelleth Herod of his own accord to be entreated for Alexander but still counterfeited himself angry with Alexander affirming that he would take his Daughter away with him till at last he brought Herod of his own accord to intercede for the young man not to break the Marriage Archelaus C after much entreaty answered that he was willing that the King should bestow his Daughter upon any save Alexander for he greatly esteemed his affinity Herod replyed that if he would not divorce his Daughter from Alexander he should think that he had bestowed his Son upon him again For they had no Children and his Daughter was dearly loved by the young man so that if he would permit her to stay still there for her sake he would pardon all Alexander's offences Hereto Archelaus with much ado agreed and so was reconciled to his Son-in-law and he to his Father Yet Herod affirmed that he must needs be sent to Rome to speak with Caesar for he had written the whole matter to Caesar Thus Archelaus craftily delivered his Son-in law from danger and after this reconciliation was made they spent the time D in Feasting and Mirth Herod dismisseth Archelaus and his friends with great Presents Upon Archelaus's departure Herod gave him seventy Talents and a Throne of pure Gold adorned with Precious Stones and Eunuchs and a Concubine named Panichis and rewarded every one of his Friends according to their deserts And all the King's Kindred by his appointment bestowed rich Gifts upon Archelaus Ant. lib. 16. cap. 11. and both he and all his Nobility accompanied him to Antioch Not long after Eurycles the Lacedemonian secretly accuseth Alexander to his Father and is the cause of his death there came one into Judaea far more subtil than Archelaus who both disannulled the reconciliation made for Alexander and caused his death also This man named Eurycles was a Lacedemonian born and brought to Herod rich Gifts as it were for a bait of that he intended He had so behaved himself in Greece that it could no longer tolerate his excess And Herod again rewarded him with far greater E Gifts than those were that he gave him But he esteemed his liberality as nothing except it were accompanied with the blood of the Princes For which cause he circumvented the King partly by flattering him partly by praising him feignedly and especially by his own craft and subtilty And quickly perceiving his inclination he both in word and deed sought in please him so that the King accounted him among his chiefest friends And both the King and all the Court honoured him the more for his Countrey-sake because he was a Lacedemonian But he perceiving the distractions of Herod's House and the hatred between the Brethren and how the King was affected towards each of them Eurycles by feigned friendship deceiveth Alexander he first of all lodged at Antipater's house making a shew in the mean while of good will towards Alexander pretending that in times F past he had been much beloved by King Archelaus his Father-in-law And by this means he quickly insinuated into favour with him and was considered as a friend and a faithful friend Alexander presently likewise brought him into friendship with Aristobulus and he having gained their affections accommodated himself to their humours in order to compass his design of adhering to Antipater and betraying Alexander And he often used incensing words to Antipater as it were chiding him that being eldest of the Brethren he so slenderly looked after them who pretended to put him besides the Crown which was his right Many times likewise he used the like words to Alexander admiring that he who was born of a Queen and Husband to a Queen would permit one descended of a private woman to succeed in the Kingdom G especially seeing he had such a fair opportunity and means to effect the contrary for he might assure himself of Archelaus's help in any thing Alexander supposed he spoke as he thought because he counterfeited friendship with Archelans so that misdoubting nothing he disclosed to him all his mind concerning Antipater saying H that it was no wonder though Herod dis-inherited them of the Kingdom since he had slain their Mother formerly Eurycles counterfeiting pity for them and sorrow for their mis-fortune enticed Aristobulus to speak to the like effect And having animated them both to complain in this sort against their Father he presently went to Antipater and disclosed to him all their secrets falsely adding also a story of some Treachery which those two Brethren intended against him which was to dispatch him with their Swords Antipater rewarded him with a great Summ of Money for this advice and commended him to his Father And thus he being hired to effect the death of Alexander and Aristobulus became himself their accuser Whereupon he came to Herod and told him that I in regard of those benefits he had received at his hand he would now venture his life for him by giving him notice of a thing which concerned his own which was that Alexander and Aristobulus had long since resolved together to kill him and that he only was the cause that they performed it not by promising them to assist them in the matter That Alexander used these speeches that Herod was not contented to enjoy a Kingdom which was another's right nor yet to have put Queen Mariamne to death but he would also leave the Kingdom belonging to their Ancestors to a pernicious Bastard Antipater But for this cause he would revenge Hircanus and Mariamne's death And that it was not fit that such a man as Antipater should receive the Kingdom without blood And every day he had occasion given him to persist in this resolution K for he could speak nothing without being calumniated for if any mention were made at any time of any ones Nobility presently he was upbraided without cause for his Father would presently say There is none Noble but Alexander whose Father 's base Birth is a shame and discredit unto him And that going a hunting if he held his peace his Father was offended if he praised him then it
Procurator Fabatus Caesar's Governour discovereth Syllaeus secrets not for Caesar but for Herod wherewith Fabatus was moved and being as yet in great estimation with Herod he disclosed Syllaeus's his secrets and signified to the King how that Syllaeus had corrupted Corinthus K one of his Guard whom he advised to be taken and kept in hold The King more easily hearkned to his counsel because Corinthus though always brought up in the Kings Court yet was born in Arabia Wherefore he presently took him and two other Arabians that were found with him one of them was Syllaeus's friend and the other Phylarchus Upon their examination they confessed that Corinthus for a great sum of money was hired to kill the King After this they were sent to Saturnius Governour of Syria and by him to Rome CHAP. XIX L How Herod should have been poysoned and how the treason was discovered HErod still urged Pheroras to forsake his Wife Herod banisheth his Brother Pheroras and his wife for he knew not how else to punish her having many matters against her which because he would not yield to at last he was so moved that he banish'd them both Pheroras taking this injury patiently departed to his Tetrarchy taking an Oath that his banishment should endure as long as Herod lived and that whilest he lived he would never come any more to him And accordingly he would not come to visit him when he was sick notwithstanding he was often sent for when as he thought he lay on his death-bed M and would gladly have imparted something to him but contrary to all hope he recovered and afterwards Pheroras fell sick At which time Herod shewed his patient and humble mind for he went to him and very kindly sought help for him but he was too far spent Pheroras died and was buried in Jerusa and a few days after died and although Herod loved him until his dying day yet was it bruted abroad that he poysoned him Herod caused his body to be brought to Jerusalem and commanded all the Nation to mourn and buried him with a sumptuous funeral Thus one of the Murtherers of Alexander and Aristobulus came to this end but shortly after the revenge of that wicked fact fell upon Antipater Ant. l. 17. c. 7. who was the chief Author thereof For certain freed men that belonged to Pheroras came in mournful manner to Herod and complained to him that N his Brother Pheroras was poysoned and that his own Wife had given him a drink which as soon as he had drunk he presently fell sick that two days before his sickness A Witch of Arabia there came a Witch out of Arabia sent for by his Mother and Sister to give him a Love-potion and that shee in stead thereof through Syllaeus's inducements had given him poyson for she was of Syllaeus's acquaintance The King moved with this discourse caused divers of Pheroras freed men and freed women to be put to torture The confession of the women in their tortures and one of them impatient of the pain exclaimed in this wise O God ruler of heaven and earth revenge us upon Antipater's Mother who is the cause of these our evils When the King understood thus much he became more eager to search out the truth and the woman disclosed Antipater's O Mothers intelligence with Pheroras and the other women and their secret meetings and that when Pheroras and Antipater came from the Palace they used to A spend all the night in feasting not suffering any servant or domestick to be in the room with them and one of the Libertines wives reveiled this And when every one of the women were tortured apart all their examinations agreed so that now it was evident wherefore Antipater had complotted to go to Rome and Pheroras beyond the River Jordan For they were often wont to say that Herod having killed Alexander and Aristobulus would next come to us and our wives and that it was unlike that he would spare any one who spared not Mariamne and her Sons and therefore it was best to flee as far as possible from such a wild beast They also depos'd that Antipater was often wont to complain to his Mother that now he grew gray-haired his Father became young and lusty that himself might die perhaps B before him and that though his Father died first yet he should enjoy the pleasure of the Kingdom but a short time That moreover the heads of Hydra that is to say Alexander and Aristobulus's Sons began to spring up again and that he could not reasonably hope to leave the Kingdom to his Sons since Herod had declar'd that he would have it go after him to Herod the Son of Mariamne wherein he was perswaded that he doated if so be he thought his Will should be of force for he would take such an order that he would have none of all his Progeny alive and that Herod was the greatest hater of his Sons of any Father in the World and was not therewithal contented but he also hated his own Brethren A proof whereof was that he not long ago gave him a hundred talents that he should have no more C commerce with Pheroras and that when Pheroras asked wherein he had hurt him Antipater answered I would to God that he would take away all from us to our shirts and leave us only our lives but said he it is impossible to escape this dangerous Beast who will not not suffer men openly to shew friendship to one another Thus we are reduc'd to that pass that we cannot meet but in secret yet if we bear the hearts and hands of men the time will be when we may talk and meet openly The women in torments disclosed these speeches and that Pheroras was determined to flee with the rest to Petra Herod believed all these sayings and the rather because of that which was said concerning the hundred talents For he said nothing of the same to any one but to Antipater D Now first of all he turn'd his fury upon Doris Doris Antipaters Mother is spoiled of her Jewels and thrust out of the Palace Antipater's Mother and taking from her all the Jewels which he had bestowed upon her of the value of many talents he banish'd her When his wrath was somewhat appeased he released Pheroras's women from torments yet he became so prone to suspicion that he tortured many that were innocent lest he should let any escape that were guilty Amongst others Antipater the Samaritan who was Steward to his Son Antipater through torments confessed that his Son Antipater had procured poyson out of Egypt to kill him by means of a friend of Antiphilus which poyson Theudion Antipater's Uncle took of him and delivered to Pheroras whom Antipater charged to dispatch Herod whilst he was at Rome far from suspicion and that Pheroras gave his Wife the poyson to E keep Whereupon the King calling for her commanded
her to bring forth the poyson and she making as though she went forth to fetch it cast her self headlong down from a Gallery thereby to prevent the torments which if she were convicted they would inflict upon her But by the providence of God as it should seem it came to pass that she fell not on her head but on her side and so escaped death to the end that God might inflict punishment upon Antipater And being brought to the King as soon as she was come to her self for she was amazed with the fall the King demanded of her wherefore she had done so and swore unto her if that she would truly disclose all he would pardon her but if she told an untruth her body should be torn in pieces with torment and not be buried She a while held her F peace Pheroras wife freely confesseth what was become of the Poyson and at last said Wherefore should I keep any thing secret seeing Pheroras is dead to save Antipater who hath caused all this mischief Hear O King and God who cannot be deceived be witness of the truth of what I shall say When I sate weeping by Pheroras as he lay a dying he called me to him and said See wife how much I was deceived concerning my Brothers love towards me for I hated and sought to kill him who thus loveth me and sorroweth so much for me though I am not yet dead but truly I am justly rewarded for my iniquity And now wife bring me hither the poyson which was left by Antipater in your keeping for my Brother and make it away before my face that I carry not with me to Hell a guilty Conscience for that crime So I brought it as he desired me and the most part of G it I cast into the fire where it was consumed and kept a litle thereof for fear of mischances and of you And having thus said she brought forth a box which had in it a very little of the poyson Hereupon the King tortured the brother and mother of Antiphilus and they also confessed that Antiphilus had brought a box out of Egypt H and that he received it from his brother who practised Physick at Alexandria Thus it seem'd that the Ghosts of Alexander and Aristobulus went about the whole Kingdom to discover the most hidden things and to draw testimonies and proofs from the mouths of those that were furthest from all suspicion For the Brothers of Mariamne daughter of Simon the High Priest being put to the rack confess'd that she was acquainted with this conspiracy Gods justice leaveth nothing unpunished Wherefore the King punish'd the mothers fault upon her child for having writ in his Will that Herod her son should succeed Antipater in the Kingdom now for her fault he raz'd him out I CHAP. XX. How Antipaters malicious practices against Herod were discover'd and punish'd THe arrival of Bathyllus was the last proof of Antipater's Crime and confirm'd all the rest This Bathyllus was one of his freed men and brought from Rome another sort of poyson compos'd of that of Asps and other Serpents to the end that if the first proved too weak and took not effect then Pheroras and his wife might make an end of the King with this And for the height of Antipater's wickedness he also had given this man Letters which he had written to Herod against K Archelaus and Philip his Brethren Antipater's treasons against Archelaus and Philip his brothers who were at that time brought up at Rome to study being very hopeful young men and for that Antipater feared they might be some hindrance to him in that which he expected he devis'd all means possible to make them away And the better to effect this purpose he counterfeited Letters in his friends name that were at Rome and for money got others to write that these two young men used in taunting wise to rail against their Father and openly to complain of the death of Alexander and Aristobulus and that they took it ill that they were sent for home for their Father had sent word that they should come away at which also Antipater was much troubled For before his departure from Judaea to Rome he procured such like Letters to be forged against them at Rome L and so delivering them to his Father to avoid all suspicion he seemed to excuse his Brethren affirming somethings that were written to be lyes other things to be offences whereunto young men were prone Antipater giveth a great sum of money to those that counterfeit letters against his Brothers At the same time he gave great sums of money to them in whose name he had written the Letters against his Brethren hereby as it were hiring them to be secret For the concealment of which subornation from Herod's knowledge he bought much rich Housholdstuff and Tapistry of curious work and Plate and many things more amounting by his account to the sum of two hundred Talents which he pretended was to be employed in presents in prosecuting the business against Syllaeus But the mischief which he provided against was inconsiderable in comparison of those which he had more reason to fear M and it cannot be sufficiently admired that though all those that had been tortured gave evidence against him how that he practised his Fathers death and the Letters witnessed how again he went about to make away other two of his Brethren yet for all this none of them who went out of Judea to Rome bare him so much good will as to give him intelligence what troubles were in the Court at home although it was seven months before he return'd to Judaea from Rome Peradventure they who were minded to tell him all were forced to hold their peace by consideration of the blood of Alexander and Aristobulus which cried for vengeance against him At last he sent Letters from Rome to his Father that now he would shortly return home Ant. lib. 18. cap. 8. and that Caesar had treated him very honourably The King desired greatly N to have the Traytor in his power Antipater is sollicited by Herod with many kind words to hasten his return and fearing that if he had inkling of matters he would look to himself feigned great kindness towards him and sent back again unto him very loving Letters willing him to hasten his return which if he did possibly he might obtain pardon for his Mothers offence for Antipater had understood that she was banished Antipater received a Letter at Tarentum whereby he understood the death of Pheroras and greatly lamented it which divers that knew nothing thought well of Yet as far as one may conjecture the cause of his grief was that his treason had not gone forward as he wished and that he feared lest that which had passed might come to light and lest the poyson should be found Yet when he came to Cilicia O and there received his Fathers
of the Garrisons mindful of the charge which Archelaus had given them refused him entrance affirming that they kept them more for Caesar than Archelaus Antipas elected King by Herod's former Testament striveth with Archelaus for the Kingdom At this time also Antipas one of Herod's Sons went to Rome with a design to obtain the Crown alledging that Herod's first Testament was of more force than the last and that he in the first was declared King and both Salome and divers others of his Kindred who sailed with Archelaus promised him their aid He took with him his Mother and Ptolomey Brother to Nicholaus in whom he had great confidence because he had been always faithful to Herod and was held by him in great credit But none had so much encouraged him as Irenaeus the Orator who had an excellent faculty of speaking Trusting to these he refused L the counsel of them who sought to perswade him to yield to Archelaus both as the elder and appointed by the last Testament of his Father Now when they were all arrived at Rome those of the Kindred that hated Archelaus and especially those that looked upon it as a sort of Liberty to be governed by the Romans favoured Antipas in hope that if their design of being freed from the Rule of Kings did not succeed they should at least have the comfort to be commanded by him and not by Archelaus Antipas accuseth Archelaus by Letters to Caesar And to further him the more he obtained Sabinus's Letters to Caesar wherein Archelaus was accused and Antipas commended Salome and the rest of the Complices presented Accusations against Archelaus to Caesar who after them delivered also his Justification in writing and withal his Father's Ring and an Inventory M of his Treasure Caesar calleth a Council of Roman Nobility by Ptolomey Caesar pondering with himself what both Parties alledged and the greatness and large Revenues of the Kingdom and the number of Herod's Children and having also read the Letters of Varus and Sabinus he called the chief of the Romans to Council where Caius the Son of Agrippa and his Daughter Julia whom he had adopted by his assignment sate in the first place and so he licenced the Parties to plead their Rights Antipaters's vehement Accusation against Archelaus Antipater Salome's Son being the greatest of all Archelaus's Adversaries spake first and said that Archelaus now only for form disputed for the Kingdom of which he had already possessed himself without waiting to know Caesar's Pleasure and that he did now strive in vain to render Caesar favourable to him whom he would not attend to judge of his Lawful Succession That after Herod's N death he suborned some to offer him the Diadem And that sitting on a Throne of Gold in Kingly manner he had changed all Orders of the Soldiers disposed of Offices and granted unto the people their Requests which could not be effected but by a King That he had also set at liberty many men who for great Crimes were imprisoned by his Father And having done all this he came now to Caesar to crave the shadow of the Kingdom the substance and body whereof he already possessed so that herein he left nothing to Caesar to dispose of but the bare Title Moreover he alledged that Archelaus did but counterfeit sorrow for his Father's death feigning himself to mourn in the day time Antipater 〈◊〉 to vehemency in accusing Archelaus and in the night he would be drunk and Riotous By which carriage he said that he had caused the Sedition of the people and incurred O their hatred After these Accusations he insisted upon the horrid slaughter of the multitude about the Temple for he said that they only came against the Festival Day to A offer Sacrifice and that they themselves were sacrificed as they were offering the Sacrifices which they brought And that there were such heaps of dead bodies in the Temple as never in any Foreign War the like had been seen That Herod foreseeing his cruelty never judged him worthy of the Kingdom till such time as his Understanding failed him The Will changed during Herod's Sickness when being more sick in mind than body he knew not whom he named his Successor in his last Will whereas he had nothing whereof he could blame him whom in his former Will he had appointed his Successor when he was in health Antipater against Archelaus both of mind and body Yet said he put the case Herod in his extremity knew what he did yet Archelaus hath rendred himself unworthy of the Kingdom by having committed many things against the Laws For said B he what will he be after he hath received Authority from Caesar who before he received any hath murthered so many Antipater having spoken more to this effect and at every Accusation taking Witness of his Kindred that stood by ended his Speech Then Nicolaus stood up Nicolaus defendeth Archelaus and first of all shewed that the slaughter of them in the Temple was necessary and unavoidable for they for whose death Archelaus was now accused were not only enemies of the Kingdom but also of Caesar And for other Crimes objected he shewed how that they were done even by the counsel and perswasion of the Accusers He also urged that the second Testament might be of force for that therein Herod had referred it to Caesar to confirm his Successor And C he who had such remembrance as to leave the Arbitriment of his Will to him who is Lord of all could not be thought to mistake himself in appointing his Heir nor yet deprived of his Senses Archelaus humbleth himself at Caesar's feet seeing he knew by whom he should be established When Nicolaus had ended his Speech and declared all that he thought might make for Archelaus Archelaus coming into the midst of the Council prostrated himself at Caesar's feet Caesar's Bounty and Humanity towards him Augustus courteously raised him from the ground and declared him worthy to succeed his Father Yet did he not pronounce a definitive Sentence but the same day the Council being dismissed that he might deliberate with himself at more leasure whether any one single person of those nominated in the two Wills should succeed their Father in the Kingdom or that the Kingdom should be divided amongst the D whole Family because they were many in number and had all need of Estate to support themselves with honour CHAP. II. Of the Fight and Massacre at Jerusalem between the Jews and the Sabinians BEfore Caesar determined any thing concerning this matter Ant. lib. 17. cap. 14. Malthace the Mother of Archelaus Sedition in Jerusalem fell sick and died and many Letters came out of Syria signifying E that the Jews had rebelled Which Varus foreseeing after the departure of Archelaus from thence had gone to Jerusalem to repress the Authors of that Sedition And because the multitude
to the days of Herod That being by enduring such misery now accustomed to the Yoke they had willingly subjected themselves to his Son Archelaus after that Herod his Father was dead Herod's Tyranny and cruelty notwithstanding he was the Son of such a Tyrant and had publickly mourned for the death of Herod L and offered Sacrifice for the prosperity of his Successor But he to shew himself Herod 's true Son began his Reign with the slaughter of three thousand Citizens and because he had so well deserved the Kingdom he offered so many men to God for Sacrifice and on a Festival Day The Jews beseech the Romans to have compassion on the remainder of the Jews filled the Temple with so many dead bodies Wherefore 't is not strange that they who escaped that Massacre consider their own calamity and as in Battel turn their faces against those who wounded them and beseech the Romans that they would think the remnant of the Jews worthy of compassion and not abandon and expose the residue of their Nation as a Prey to them by whom they are like to be most cruelly butchered but that it may please them to adjoyn their Countrey to Syria and to let them be ruled by the Romans that so they may find that the Jews though now counted seditious and rebellious M are under peaceable and quiet Governours a peaceable Nation With this Petition the Jews ended their Accusation Nicolaus defends Archelaus before Caesar and the rest After this Nicolaus stood up against them and first of all acquitted the King 's of the Crimes laid to their charge and then reproved his Countrey-men as people not to be easily Governed and of their own nature averse except forced to obey their King And by the way he also blamed the Kindred of Archelaus who joyned with his Accusers Caesar having heard what both parts could say dismissed the Assembly Caesar maketh Archelaus Ethnarch of Jewry And within few days after he gave Archelaus half the Kingdom with the Title of Ethnarch promising moreover to make him King if he behaved himself well the other half he divided into two Tetrarchies and gave the same to the rest of Herod's Sons The distribution of the Kingdom to Herod's Children one to Philip the other to Antipas who contended with Archelaus N for the Crown Antipas his Part lay from Galilee beyond the River Jordan the Revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents a year Philip had Batanaea and Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of what belonged to Zenodorus near Jamnia the Revenues whereof amounted to one hundred Talents a year Archelaus had in his Ethnarchy Idumaea and all Judaea and Samaria which was freed from the fourth part of the Tribute Those Cities that were under Archelaus's subjection because they had not rebelled with the rest These Cities also were given him Straton's Tower Sebaste Joppa and Jerusalem But Gaza and Gadara and Hippon Caesar took from the Kingdom and joyned them to Syria Archelaus's yearly Revenues amounted to four hundred Talents a year Caesar also besides that which Herod had left Salome Salome Princess of Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis as Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis gave her the Palace O at Ascalon all which amounted to threescore Talents a year But Caesar obliged her to live in the Countrey subject to Archelaus And having confirmed the rest A of Herod's Kindred the Legacies which in his Testament he had left them he gave his two Daughters that were Virgins over and above a hundred and fifty thousand Drachmes of Silver and married them to Pheroras's two Sons Lastly he divided that which Herod had bequeathed unto himself amounting unto a thousand Talents amongst his Sons leaving himself only some Jewels of small value which he reserved in honour and remembrance of the dead CHAP. V. B Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken AT the same time Ant. lib. 17. cap. 18. a certain young man a Jew born brought up by a Freed-man of Rome in the Town of Sidon A certain young man feigning himself to be that Alexander whom Herod slew deceiveth many being very like Alexander whom Herod had put to death went to Rome having one of his Countrey-men for his companion who knew very well the Estate of the Kingdom and by whose instructions he affirmed that they who should have put him and Aristobulus to death being moved to compassion let them go and put two others in their room like them With this tale he deceived many Jews living in Creet where he was honourably received From thence he sailed to Melos where he was entertained with greater pomp and enriching C himself he used such means that he got his Hosts which gave him entertainment to accompany him to Rome At his landing at Puteoli he received great Presents from the Jews who dwelt there especially those that were well affected to his Father honoured him as a King For he was so like Alexander that they that had seen Alexander and knew him well would have sworn he had been the same Wherefore when he arrived at Rome all the Jews desired to see him and an infinite multitude followed him whithersoever he went in the streets and they so doted upon him that they carried him in a Horse-litter and at their own proper cost and charges prepared for him a Royal Train But Augustus well remembred Alexander's visage for Herod had accused him before D him and although Caesar desireth to see the young man before he saw him he judged that he was some Impostor yet he made as though he believed all and sent one Celadus who knew Alexander well to bring this young man to him Celadus no sooner beheld him but forthwith he perceived the difference betwixt them and especially when he took notice of his hard flesh and servile shape he presently understood the whole matter But he could not but be greatly surprized at his bold speeches for when they demanded of him what was become of Aristobulus he answered that he was alive but on purpose tarried behind and lived in Cyprus because being asunder they could not both so easily be entrapped Celadus taking him apart from the rest of the Company told him that Caesar would save his life if he would truly confess by whose counsel he E feigned himself to be Alexander He accepting this proffer followed him to Caesar and declared to him the Jew who for lucre sake had made use of his likeness to Alexander confessing that he had received as great Gifts of the Cities by which he passed Caesar maketh the counterfeit Alexander a Galley-slave and executeth his Counsellor as they would have given Alexander if he had been alive Caesar laught at the Cheat and condemned this false Alexander to the Galleys but put the other Jew to death who had induced him to this Imposture And as for the Jews at Milo he thought
that they had punishment sufficient in losing all that which they had laid out and bestowed upon him F CHAP. VI. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus ARchelaus being now made Prince Ant. lib. 17. cap. 19. remembred the contests past and in revenge thereof Archelaus banished for his Tyranny and his goods confiscated he ill treated not only the Jews but also the Samaritans But in the ninth year of his Reign the Jews and Samaritans sent Ambassadours against him to Caesar by whom he was banished to Vienna a City of Gallia and all his Goods confiscated 'T is reported that before he was summoned to appear before Caesar he had a strange Dream Archelaus's Dream of the Oxen and ears of Corn. in which he saw nine great Ears of Corn devoured by Oxen and G presently sending for some Chaldeans he demanded what that Dream betokened Some interpreted it one way and some another but one Simon an Essean told him that the nine Ears of Corn betokened the number of years he had reigned and the Oxen signified the change of his Fortune for as much as these creatures in labouring H the Land turned up and altered the face of it And therefore nine years being past since he had been established Prince he was to prepare himself for death Five days after this Interpretation Archelaus was sent for to Rome to answer before Augustus the things whereof he was accused I have also thought it worth rehearsing to set down the Dream of his Wife Glaphyra Daughter to Archelaus King of Cappadocia who was first married to Alexander Brother to this man and Son to King Herod by whom he was put to death as we have said before After whose death she was married to Juba King of Lybia and he being dead she returned home to her Father where living in her Widowhood Archelaus refusing Mariamne marrieth Glaphyra Archelaus the Ethnarch beholding her was so inflamed with her love that presently he divorced his Wife Mariamne and married her Soon I after she came into Judaea she dreamed that she saw Alexander her first Husband standing before her and saying unto her Glaphyra saw Alexander in her sleep It had been enough for thee to have married the King of Lybia but thou not contented therewith comest again to my house greedy of a third Husband and which is worst of all art now married to mine own Brother I will not conceal nor dissemble this injury which thou dost me but I will recover thee against thy will And she scarcely lived two days after she had related this Dream to her friends CHAP. VII K Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews AFter that Archelaus's Dominions were reduced into a Province Ant. lib. 18. cap. 12. a certain Roman Knight called Coponius was made Governour thereof During his Administration The year of the World 3973. after Christ's Nativity 11. a certain Galilean named Judas incited his Countrey-men to revolt reproaching them for paying Tribute to the Romans and for being subject to any but to God This Judas was Author of a new Sect of his own devising nothing like other Sects For there are three Sects of Philosophers amongst the Jews one is that of the Pharisees L Three Sects among the Jews of which the Esseans were the best another of the Sadducees and the third of the Esseans which is the most famous of all the three The Esseans are Jews born but live in the greatest union together imaginable They consider all Pleasures as Vices that are to be avoided and esteem Continence and Victory over the Passions as the greatest Vertues They reject Marriage and account other men's Children put to them to be taught whilst young The Esseans Doctrine of Marriage as their own Kins-men whom they diligently instruct in their Manners and Opinions not for that they condemn Marriage and Propagation of Mankind but to avoid women's incontinence for they think that none of them keep themselves true to one man Among the Esseans goods are common Also they contemn Riches and all things with them are common and no man amongst them is richer than other And they have a Law amongst themselves M that whosoever will embrace their Sect he must make his Goods common for so neither any amongst them seems abject for Poverty nor any great for Riches but they have as it were all equal Patrimonies like Brethren They account it a shame to anoint the body with Oyl and if any man though against his Will be anointed therewith they use all diligence to wipe it away And they account themselves fine enough if their Cloaths be white They have amongst them Stewards to oversee all things for their common benefit who are chosen from amongst them by a common consent Their Revenue is distributed according to the need that every one haâ—h The Esseans Hospitality They have not one certain City but are dispersed in many Cities and if any of their Sect though a stranger come to them from another place they give N him any thing they have as if he were their ancient Acquaintance In like manner they go boldly to those whom they never in their lives saw before as though they were familiarly acquainted with them And therefore when they take a journey they only arm themselves against Thieves and carry nothing with them else In every City there is one appointed whose Office is to receive and lodge those of their Sect that come thither and to see that they neither want Cloaths nor any thing else necessary for them The Esseans Appâ—â—el All Children under Government brought up by them go apparelled alike and they never change their Apparel nor Shooes except they have worn out their first Apparel Among themselves they neither buy nor sell but every man that hath any thing which another wanteth giveth him it and taketh that of O him which himself needeth yea every one of them may take any thing he hath need of from whom he pleaseth without any change Above all towards God they A are very Religious for before the Son rise they speak of nothing but holy things and then they make certain Vows and Prayers after the custom of their Countrey as it were praying that God would please to make it rise upon the earth After this every one is dismissed to practice the Art he knoweth And when every one hath diligently laboured till eleven a clock Their Religion and labour they all meet together again and being covered with linen cloaths they wash their bodies with cold water and having thus purged themselves they go to their Cells into which no man that is not of their Sect is admitted And then they come to the Refectory as into a holy Temple where all sitting down with silence there is set before every man in order a loaf and a little mess of pottage
upon the Samaritans lest thereby they moved the Romans to destroy Jerusalem but to be merciful to their Countrey the Temple their Wives and Children and not at once hazard D all Conspiracy in Robbery and overthrow their whole Countrey and Nation in revenging the death of one Galilean The Jews hereby were pacified and departed At the same time there were many that made it their Trade to rob and steal as most commonly people by long peace grow insolent so that they robbed in every part of the Countrey and the strongest and most audacious oppressed those that were weaker Hereupon the Samaritans went to Tyre to pray Numidius Quadratus Governour of Syria to revenge them of those that so robbed and spoiled their Countrey The chief men of the Jews went thither also and Jonathas the Son of Ananus who was High Priest defended the Jews against the Samaritans Accusation affirming the Samaritans to have been cause of that tumult by killing the Galilean and that Cumanus was cause of the rest of their E calamities who refused to punish the murtherers Quadratus for that time sent away both Parties promising them that when he came into their Countrey he would diligently enquire of the matter And coming from thence to Caesarea he crucified all those whom Cumanus had made Prisoners Quadratus Governour of Syria heareth the Samaritans and Jews And departing from thence to Lydda he heard the Samaritans complaints and sent for eighteen men whom he understood for certain to have been in that broil and beheaded them and sent the two High-Priests Jonathas and Ananias Quadratus giveth Sentence betwixt the Jews and Samaritans and his Son Ananus with some of the most considerable Jews to Caesar and also the chief of the Samaritans He likewise commanded Cumanus and Celer the Tribune to go to Rome and justifie themselves to Claudius for that which they had done in that Countrey F This done he went from Lydda to Jerusalem and finding there the multitude celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread without any tumult or disorder he returned to Antioch Claudius's Sentence against some Samaritans Cumanus and Celer Caesar at Rome hearing the Allegations of Cumanus and the Samaritans Agrippa was also there earnestly defending the Cause of the Jews as also Cumanus was assisted by many Potentates he pronounced sentence against the Samaritans and commanded three of their chief Nobility to be put to death and banished Cumanus and sent Celer the Tribune bound to Jerusalem that the Jews might draw him about the City and then cut off his head This done he sent Faelix Brother to Pallas to govern Judaea Samaria and Galilee And he preferred Agrippa from Chalcis to a greater Kingdom making him King of that Province whereof Philip had been Tetrarch to G wit Claudius dies and Nero succeeds him Trachonitis Batanaea and Gaulanitis adding thereunto the Kingdom of Lysania and the Tetrarchy whereof Varus had been Governour Claudius having reigned thirteen years eight months and thirty days departed this life leaving Nero to succeed him The year of the world 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. whom by the perswasions of his Wife Agrippina he adopted to the Empire though H he had a lawful Son of his own named Britannicus by his former Wife Messalina and a Daughter called Octavia whom he married to Nero He had also another Daughter by Agrippina named Antonia How Nero abused his Wealth and Felicity and how he slew his Brother Nero killeth his Brother his Mother and Wife Mother and his Wife and afterwards raged against all his Kinddred and how in a mad vein he became a Player on a Stage because it requireth a long Narration I will speak nothing thereof CHAP. XII I Of the Tumult in Judaea under Felix BUt I think my self to relate particularly the Actions of this Emperour towards the Jews The year of the World 4018. after Christ's Nativity 56. He made Aristobulus Herod's Son King of the lesser Armenia and added to Agrippa's Kingdom four Cities and the Territories belonging unto them Two of them Abila and Julias were in the Countrey of Peraea the other Tarichaea and Tiberias Ant lib. 20. cap. 11. were in Galilee And he made Felix Governour over the rest of Judaea This Felix took Eleazar Captain of the Thieves after he had robbed and spoiled the Countrey twenty years Foelix surpriseth Eleazar the Captain of the Thieves and many others and sends them bound to Rome and many more with him and sent them bound to Caesar and he crucified a great number of them who either were Thieves and his Confederates or K else had assisted him The Countrey was no sooner cleansed from these but presently another sort of Thieves arose in Jerusalem called Sicarii from their short Swords who at high Noon in the midst of the City killed many in every place and especially at the celebrating of Holy Feasts they mixed themselves with the multitude having short Swords under their coats and therewith killed those to whom they bare any grudge Another sort of Thieves who at noon days went about the City to murther men and when men fell down dead they amongst the rest cried out of the murther By this deceitful means they were a long time unsuspected and unknown And first of all they killed Jonathan the High Priest and after him every day some were slain and the City was put in no less fear than if it had been in a time of War for each man every moment expected death and cast a diligent eye upon those that came L near him Jonathan the High Priest with many others slain and no man trusted his familiar friends and yet were they murthered whilst they were looking about them to escape danger So cunningly did these Thieves cover and conceal their actions Moreover there arose another sort of mischievous people Ant. lib. 20. cap. 12. who did not so much harm with their hands as the first but with their impious counsel more and did no less trouble the quiet Estate of the City than did the Thieves These people being Vagabonds and Juglers desiring alteration under pretence of Religion made the people frantick for they led them into the Wilderness affirming that there God would shew them tokens of his purpose to set them at liberty Foelix perceiving that these Assemblies tended to Rebellion sent an Army of Horse and Foot against these people and killed many of them M But a certain Egyptian An Egyptian Prophet gathereth well nigh thirty thousand men a false Prophet occasioned a far greater Massacre among the Jews than this for being a Magician he came into the Countrey and calling himself a Prophet he gathered unto him almost thirty thousand Jews who were by his Magick Arts seduced and leading them from the Wilderness to Mount Olivet he determined from thence to go to Jerusalem and to drive thence the Forces of the Romans and there
were within the City were terrified with the noise hereof and ran up and down as though all the Enemies were already entred into it And Chares Josephs Companion being sick yielded up the Ghost fear encreasing his Disease and helping to shorten his life The Romans remembring the bad success at the last assault did not enter the City till the twenty-third of the Month aforesaid Then Titus animated by resentment of the misfortune of the Romans in his absence Titus with two hundred Horse besides chosen Foot-men entreth Gamala accompanied with 200 Horsemen and some chosen Foot-men entred the City no man resisting him the Watch-men then first perceiving it cryed To Arms. Those within the City fearing that Titus was entred some took their Children some their Wives D and fled into the Castle with pitiful Cries and weeping others met Titus and were all put to the Sword and they that could not get into the Castle not knowing what to do fell among the Roman Guards Then the skies were filled with the cries of men dying and the lower places of the City flowed with blood Vespasian led his whole Army against those that fled into the Castle The top of the Castle of Gamala stony and hard to be climbed which was of a great height and scarcely accessible standing in a stony place full of Ditches and deep Dens and compassed with steep Rocks The Jews drove down the Romans that offered to come up to them partly with Darts partly with Stones which they rowled down upon them and they were so high that the Romans Arrows could not reach them But at last as it were by Gods providence The Romans Victory by Gods Providence who would have it so a Whirlwind arose which carried E the Roman Arrows amongst them in the Castle and the Jews Arrows from the Romans and the Wind was so violent that it was not possible for them to stand upon those high places and so not being able to stand nor to see those that came against them the Romans ascended and took the Castle some resisting for their defence others yielding themselves The Romans now call to mind their fellows that had perished in the first assault and so became more cruel Many despairing of their lives cast their Wives their Children and themselves headlong down those Precipices into the deep Vallies underneath 9000 Jews slain in Gamala and only two Women escape So that the Cruelty the Romans shewed against the people of Gamala was not so great as that which they used against themselves for there were only four thousand that perisht by the Romans Sword and the number of them F who so cast themselves down was found to be five thousand and not one escaped but two Women that were Sisters and Daughters to Philip Son of Joachim a worthy Man and General of Agrippa's Army and these two were saved only because at such time as the City was taken they hid themselves for they spared not Infants but many took them and cast them down from the Castle And thus was Gamala destroyed the 23 day of October having begun to Revolt the 21 day of September G CHAP. IV. The year of the World 4032. after the Nativity of Christ 70. H How Titus took Giscala NOw all the Cities and strong Places of Galilee were taken Giscala only excepted Part of the Inhabitants whereof desired Peace for that they were Husbandmen and their riches consisted in the Fruits of the Earth John a Poysoner and a deceitful man inforceth the Citizens of Giscala to Rebel but there were many factious Free-booters in the City and amongst them many of the natural Inhabitants These people were incited to Revolt by one John a very wicked and deceitful person Son to one I Levias he was of ill manners bold to attempt any thing and making no conscience of any thing he took in hand and he was known to all men for one that desired War to make himself mighty This man was a Ring-leader of the Seditious persons in Giscala and for fear of him the People who perhaps otherwise would have sent Legats to the Romans to request peace were hindred and forced to stay till the Romans came to fight against them Against these People Vespasian sent Titus and with him a thousand Horsemen and the tenth Legion towards Scythopolis Himself with the rest went to Caesarea to refresh them after their great labour at the charge of the Towns adjoyning judging it necessary to fit them to sustain manfully the toyls that were to ensue for he foresaw that he should have much ado to win Jerusalem both for that it was very K strong Vespasian foreseeth his no small trouble in the Siege of Jerusalem and was the Chief City of all the Nation And his care in this point was so much the more for that he perceived many out of all parts fled thither and that it was compassed with almost invincible Walls and besides this the boldness and desperate courage of the Inhabitants who although that they had had no Walls at all yet had been scarcely to be Conquered and therefore he thought it necessary to refresh his Souldiers before this Enterprise as Champions are prepared for the Combate Titus having taken a view of Giscala Titus his compassion toward those of Giscala judg'd that it might easily be taken yet knowing that if it were taken by force all the People would be destroyed by the Romans he being weary of blood-shed and commiserating the innocent People which were otherwise like to perish together with the culpable attempted to take it by surrender L Wherefore the Walls being full of People Titus his merciful Oration to those of Giscala among whom were many of the Seditious he told them that he marvelled what help they expected or by whose advice all other Cities being now taken they alone would resist the Roman Forces especially whenas they had already seen many Towns far stronger than theirs overthrown at the first assault and that contrariwise those who had yielded themselves to the Romans lived in peace and enjoyed all that was theirs Which offer said he I now also make to you and am not yet incensed against you because that which you do is in hope of your liberty but if you still persevere in your rebellious course and refuse this kind offer you shall presently perceive the Roman Sword drawn out for your destruction and incontinently find your Walls but a mockery and no wayes able to resist the Roman M Engines whereas contrariwise if you yield your selves and trust to the fidelity of the Romans you shall be the most happy people of all Galilee None of the Townsmen were admitted to make answer nor to come to the Walls for the Seditious were Masters of them Johns answer to Titus's Exhortation and a Guard was placed at every Gate lest any should go out to submit themselves or any Horsemen
others burnt others halfe eaten of wild Beasts were reserved alive for the second meal The calamity of those Jews who were taken by the Romans the most miserable of all are those that are yet alive who often wish for death and cannot find it Where is now that potent City that was once the Capital City of E all our Nation so strengthened with Walls so fortified with Towers Castles to defend those Walls scarcely able to contain the provisions for War having in it so vast a multitude of men to fight for it Jerusalem the Metropolitan City razed from the foundations wherin God himself was thought to dwell What is now become of it It is razed down even to the very foundations and scarce any memory â—r reliques thereof left standing the whole people destroyed only a few old and unhappy men survive who sit among the Ashes of the Temple and a few Women whom the Enemies reserved to satisfie their filthy lust And will any amongst us considering all these things desire to behold the light of the Sun although he could live without molestation who is such an Enemy to his Native soil who is so effeminate or desirous of his life that he doth not grieve to have lived till this time would God we had been all in our graves before we had seen that sacred City fired by a hostile hand before we beheld F the Holy Temple destroyed by impious fire and seeing that the hope we had to be revenged on our Enemies is now vanished and that we are left alone in misery and necessity let us hasten to die well and take compassion on our selves our Wives and Children and that whilst we have time For we are all born to die and all that are begotten by us and the strongest men living cannot avoid it but injury and bondage and to see our Wives and Children abused before our faces is no necessity proceeding from Nature but they only are forced to endure it We are born to die and the strongest cannot avoid the same who when they might have died without it did refuse for fear We first of all trusting to our strength rebelled against the Romans afterwards they exhorted us to obedience but wee denied which of them then will not be enraged against us if they can take us alive Most miserable shall those young men be whose strength will endure many torments and those G old men will move compassion whose aged years cannot suffer tortures one shall see his Wife carried away from him and another his Son having his hands bound behind him cry out to his Father for help who now whilst they are free from the thraldom of their Enemies may H gloriously assist us with their Swords Let us with our Wives and Children die Freemen let us together depart out of this life This our Religion commandeth this our Wives and Children perswade God himself hath driven us to this necessity for this purpose The Romans would have it otherwise Eleazar tells the Jews of the Romans Tyranny who fear lest any of us should perish and not fall into their hands alive Let us therefore hasten that instead of their hope whereby they verily perswaded themselves to take us alive we may contrary to their expectation daunt them with sudden admiration of our glorious deaths It is a happiness among the Jews to die fice Whilst Eleazar was yet speaking and desirous still to continue his exhortation they interrupted him every one now in a fury bent to follow his advice made haste to effect it and as though they had been urged by some Spirit thereto one laboured to prevent I another in the execution thereof judging him to shew most valour and fortitude that first dispatched himself They were also desirous to kill their Wives and Children with themselves And which is most strange their minds were nothing altered when they came to effect this bloody work but with the same resolution they had when they heard Eleazars speech every one retained his good affection towards his Friends yet permitting reason to take no place and perswading themselves that thus they had well provided for their Children they embraced their Wives and Children for their last farewel and took their leaves of them kissing them with Tears and then all at once slew them as though it had been done by the hands of other men and not their own comforting themselves in being forced so to do and that hereby they should escape the tyranny and K cruelty of their Enemies Finally no man was so cowardly who durst not venture on this action so every one of them killed his dearest friends O miserable people whom necessity forced to slay their Wives and Children and to account this action the very least of all their miseries After which not enduring the grief that ensued upon this fact and thinking that in living any while after them they should injure those whom they had slain they with all speed possible gathered all their riches together and set them one fire which done they elected ten by lot who should kill the rest and every one prostrating himself upon his Wife and Children and embracing them in his Arms was slain willingly by those that executed that wrethched office who having without fear dispatched them they cast lots whose fortune it should be to kill all the L rest The Jews gathering all their goods together cast them into the fire and he upon whom the lot should fall was to kill the other nine and lastly himself upon them all and every one so encouraged one another that there was no difference between those that were to be killed and those that were to kill and so the rest offered themselves to death which done he who was the last of all being yet alive went amongst the dead bodies and searched to see if any still lived that needed his hand in so great a multitude of slain people Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Jews and finding all of them dispatched he went and fired the Palace which done he with all his force thrust his Sword into his own body up to the Hilts and so fell down by his dearest Friends In this manner they perished with a belief that they left not one person alive to fall into the Romans hands but a certain old Woman and another who was Eleazars Cousin M who in learning and wisdom surpassed all other Women and fiue Children hid themselves in a Cave wherein Water was reserved to drink whilst the rest were busied in this Massacre the slain were in number nine hundred and sixty accounting Women and Children The Romans expect the fight This calamity hapned the fifteenth day of April In the morning the Romans expecting that the Jews would encounter them made Bridges from their Mounts to the Walls and so assaulted the Walls and seeing none of the Enemies appear but all the Walls
he adds certain Fables forgetting himself that he reported the Shepherds departure out of Egypt to Jerusalem to have been almost five hundred and eighteen years before his time For it was in the fourth year of the reign of Thermosis when they departed out of Egypt and his Successors continued in the Government three hundred and ninety three years till the time of the two Brethren Sethon M and Hermeus the first of which was called Egyptian the other Danaus who supplanted Sethon and reign'd alone fifty nine years after whom his eldest Son Ramses reign'd threescore and six years Having therefore confessed our Ancestors to have departed out of Egypt so many years before at length he addeth Amenophis to the number of their Kings He tells us that the said Prince as Orus one of his Predecessours had done before had an ardent desire to have a sight of the Gods and that a Priest of their Law named Amenophis as he was and Son of Papius whose wisdom in prediction was so admirable that he seem'd to be inspir'd told him his desire should be accomplished if he would drive out of his Kingdom all such as were Leprous and any other way infected The King according to his directions assembled N of them to the number of Eighty thousand and sent them with other Egyptians to work in the Quarries on the East-side of the Nile among whom there were certain Priests who were likewise infected Manethon adds That the Priest Amenophis apprehending lest the Gods should punish him for having given the King that counsel the King for having followed it so strictly and finding by divination that to recompence the sufferings of those poor People they would conquer and govern in Egypt for the space of thirteen years he was afraid to tell it to the King himself but having committed his Revelation to writing he kill'd himself to the great terrour of the King This done he speaks as followeth So the King being requested for their quietness and defence to assign them a City to inhabit appointed unto them a desolate place O called Avaris which had been the Shepherds City this City the ancient Divines call A Triphon but they having got the possession of this place fit for Rebellion made choice of one of the Priests of Heliopolis to be their Captain Osarsiâ—hus Captain of Avaris whose name was Osarsiphus and bound themselves with an Oath to obey him in all things and he presently made a Law That they should neither worship the Gods of the Egyptians nor abstain from those Beasts which the Egyptians count holy and that they should marry with none but such as they judged to be their Friends and of their own perswasion Having ordained this and many things else contrary to the Religion of the Egyptians he commanded them to build a Wall about the City to fortify it well and prepare to make War upon King Amenophis Having taken some others of the Priesthood into his Cabal they sent Ambassadors to Jerusalem to the Shepherds which were driven out of Egypt by King Themusis to inform them of what had passed and request B them to a Confederacy The war of the banished against the Egyptians and that uniting their forces they might jointly make War upon Egypt He promised to receive them into Avaris which had been of old the possession of their Ancessors and supply them with what ever was necessary and assured them their opportunity was such that without great difficulty they might conquer that Kingdome That the Inhabitants of Jerusalem embracing the motion rais'd an Army and advanced to Avaris with 200000 men That Amenophis King of Egypt hearing of their invasion and remembring what Amenophis the Son of the Priest Papius had left in writing was in great fear and presently assembling together the people of Egypt and consulting with the Princes of his Country he sent away all the holy Beasts and all that the Priests esteemed giving C them especial charge to hide their Idols He put his Son Sethon who also by his Father Rampses was called Rhamesses and but five years old into the custody of a Friend of his The Egyptian King fled into Ethiopia and was by the Ethiopian King courteously entertained and then with three hundred thousand fighting men he marched against his Enemies but would not fight with them lest he should fight against the pleasure of the Gods and so he retired himself to Memphis and taking Apis and the rest of the Egyptian Gods along with him he and his Troops of Egyptians took Ship and fled into Aethiopia That the King of Aethiopia having a great honour for him received him very nobly assigning his People Towns and Villages for their residence and subsistence during their thirteen years exile keeping constant Guards upon his Frontiers for the D security of Amenophis That in the mean time the Auxiliaries from Jerusalem did much more mischief than those who had invited them That there was nothing of cruelty or impiety that they scrupled or omitted That not contenting themselves with the demolishment and burning of Towns they added sacriledg to their sins brake their Idols in pieces slew their consecrated Cattel forced the Priests and Prophets to kill their own Beasts Osarsiphus was afterwards call'd Moses and drave them naked out of their Country when they had done To which he adds That they had for their Law-giver a Priest of Heliopolis call'd Osarsiph from Osiris which was the God that was worshipped in that City and that that Priest having chang'd his Religion chang'd likewise his Name and called himself Moses E Thus the Egyptians report of the Jews and many things else which for brevity sake I omit Manethon further writeth that afterward Amenophis the King came with a great power out oâ— Aethiopia and his Son Rampses with him accompanied with a great Army and that joyning Battel with the Shepherds and polluted persons he gave them an overthrow and pursued them unto the Borders of Syria And this is Manethon's report but forasmuch as he writeth old wives tales dotages and lies I will by manifest reason convince him First distinguishing that whereof I am to speak hereafter He of his own accord granteth and confesseth that our Ancestors at first were not Egyptians Manethon's lies are confuted but Strangers that came thither from another place and conquered the Country and again departed from thence I will now out of his own F writings endeavour to shew that the weak people of Egypt were not mixed with us and that Moses who indeed was our Conductor out of Egypt and lived many ages before was no â—eper He therefore first of all setteth down a ridiculous cause of this forementioned fiction which was that King Amenophis was desirous to see the Gods What Gods do you think He could already see the Ox the Goat the Crocodile and the Munky but the God of Heaven how could he see And
the three Children with the fiery Furnace as this woman was afflicted at the death of all her Children before she came to her own Agony What would another woman and Mother have done in this Case but wept and with pitiful lamentations have cryed Ah wretch thas I am most unhappy and miserable of all that breath who therefore bare so many Children into this World that their several deaths might be so many several occasions of my grief and sorrow she would have commemorated her frequent labours the pains she endured in her ten Months bearing them she would have bewailed her ill fortune who brought forth her sons to so many deaths and dangers she would have recounted the milk wherewith she fed them and their meat she had prepared for them the F pains she had taken with them how she had carried them in her Arms and sung to them and taught them to speak her cares her watchings her fear lest any mis-hap should betide them and with weeping tears would have said Shall I never be a Grandmother and embrace your Children who a while ago was a fruitful mother my self but am now deprived of you all If this day I dy I have none to bury me But this handmaid of God forgot all these complaints that another mother would have made and with an Adamantine sence more impenetrable than the never-yielding Rocks did neither forsake her Children in their torments nor in their death but rather compelled them to perish and never sorrowed thereat For being apprehended together with her seven Sons she considering Eleazar's Martyrdom did thus exhort them in the Hebrew G tongue O my most dear and loving Children The mothers speech exhorting her seven Sons to suffer let us hasten to that Martyrdom which may make us a H credit to our Nation and gain of God an everlasting reward let us without fear present our selves unto those torments which Eleazar's aged body endured calling to mind our Father Abraham of worthy memory who having but one only Son did sacrifice him being willed by God so to do and seared not to bring him to the Altar though he was the fruit and only comfort of his age Isaac also was willing to be sacrificed by his father knowing that God was to be obeyed in all things the like may be said of Daniel and the three Children believe me we are rather tried than tormented For whatsoever this World affordeth is mortal and transient Thus did this mother arm her Childrens minds with fortitude A Golden saying of the mother of her seven Children and though a woman infused courage and constancy into men And when her Children were all dead she I a worthy mother of so many Champions kneeling down in the place of torment be sought God to put an end to her life protesting that she had not for love of life so long deferred to dye The mother followed her Sons in torments but only for her Childrens sake and that now she had seen them all seven triumphing Whereupon the rage of Antiochus grew hot and he commanded this noble person to be tormented and accordingly as the Tyrant willed she was striped naked and hanged up by the hands and most cruelly whipped her dugs and paps were pulled off and she put into the red-hot Frying-pan being most willing to follow her Childrens steps in torment and lifting up her Eyes and hands to Heaven she prayed for all women with Child and so yielded her chast Soul to God But Antiochus was striken with fire from Heaven O thou mistress of justice who followed'st K thy triumphing Children O Conquerer of Tyrants and a Looking-Glass for all Martyrs O example of patience not only to women but to all men that shall be after thee reverenced of them that now are and to be worshiped of them that are to come and to be admired not only of our Nation The light of the just but of all other people Thy light obscureth the bright shining Moon 1. Cor. 15. and though she fill the World with her brightness yet is she not comparable to thy shining light Seven lights inviron thee about dazling the brightness of the seven Planets Could any Painter express or any hand in writing declare the torments which you suffered none could with dry eyes read or behold them All people would flock about to see it All people would praise and esteem him to have offered a great gift who to God's glory had painted so incomparable a picture L And if any skilful workman should engrave this Tragedy upon a Sepulchre or in his house doubtless he should be freed from all plague and misfortune But where could a stone be found able to contain so many torments Therefore the old man Eleazar the Mother and her seven Sons are for their Nobility graced with a Sepulchre and a great reverence is done unto them of all men yea even by men that are not of our Religion and there is a constellation of eight stars ordained as an argument of their justice and Angels did execute their Funerals The Tyrant himself was astonished to see the constancy of such godly minds And thus have they found such favour in the sight of God that they have obtained remission of the sins of our Nation For presently after the Tyrant was destroyed and Israel was freed from his Tyranny M But Antiochus Antiochus leavied an Army of Footmen from amongst the Hebrews seeing the greatness of their Faith and their contempt of death gathered an Army of Foot out of the Hebrews by whose help he terrified his Enemies and got great Renown O blessed seed of Abraham behold what benefit the Sufferings of the Mother and her seven Sons brought to us their Country-men let us persist in this piety that so we may be like our Forefathers behold the death of a few did end all the miseries and sins of our whole Nation and you by your Country-mens hands vanquished their persecutors Enemies Antiochus died stinking exceedingly after that victory our sins were remited last of all Antiochus being mad and his entrails devoured with Worms he smelling like Carrion gave up the Ghost 2. Mac. 9. and was ever after death punished for his offence For when he could not make the Citizens of Jerusalem to forsake their Law he made War against N the Persians and there received that which he deserved It now remaineth An Epitome of the life of the seven Sons and their mother that we briefly repeat all that is before said For in her Agony this sacred mother said thus unto the standers by Whilest it was lawful for me I kept my self a Virgin and then I married and lived a Chast Wife and forsook not my own house I brought forth such Sons as I need not be ashamed of and though dounted with my Husbands death yet I did not forsake my Faith This and many things else she recounted And
rather like his Son than his Grand-Child O A It is reported that Caius commanded him to kill himself in the presence of several Tribunes and Captains forbidding them strictly to give him any assistance because forsooth it was not decent that the descendents of an Emperour should die by any inferiour hands For he would needs pass for a strict observer of the Laws at the very time when he broke them and a Bigot in Religion when he was committing so great a Crime without the least compunction or remose for making a Stalking-Horse of the truth by so strange an hypocrisie The poor Prince who had never seen any murders before nor been accustomed to those counterfeit Combats in which young Princes are usually exercised in time of Peace presented his Throat to the person who stood next him but he and all the rest B refusing to dispatch him he took the Dagger himself ask'd them where he was to strike and they in their great Civility having instructed him he stab'd himself immediatly and that with many blows till by a lamentable and unmercifull compulsion he had murder'd himself CHAP. IIII. Caius puts to death Macro Colonel of his Pretorian bands to whom he was oblig'd C both for his life and his Empire VVHEN Caius had finished that business which of all his affairs was of the greatest importance there being no body left that could pretend to the Empire or to whom any turbulent persons could in prudence apply he turn'd his indignation upon Macro resolving that he also should feel the effects of his Cruelty and Ingratitude This Macro had not only serv'd him faithfully since his advancement to the Throne which would have been no extraordinary thing because Princes who are fortâ—nate shall never want flatterers but he had been a great means that Tiberius had chosen him D for his Successor For besides that there never was Prince of greater Sagacity and Penetration than Tiberius the experience which his years had given him gave him so large an insight into the secretest Cogitations of Man that he began to be jealous of Caius he suspected him an Enemy in his heart to the whole family of the Claudii and that if he had any natural affection at all it was only for his Relations by the Mothers side so that Tiberius began to be apprehensive for his Grand-Child if he should leave him a Minor Again he looked upon Caius as uncapable of the Government of so great an Empire by reason of the weakness and levity of his parts which seem'd rather inclining to folly than otherwise so little Solidity was there to be observed either in his word or his actions But there was no Stone that Macro left unturned to E discusse these suspitions and especially his apprehension for his Grand-Child He assured the Emperour that Caius had an extreme respect for him so great an affection for his Cousin that he would willingly leave the Empire to him that it was nothing but his retention and modesty that made people think him weak in his intellectuals When Macro found these Reasons would not work he feared not to offer himself in Caution and the Emperour had no reason to suspect his Sincerity after the Testimony which he had given of it not only in discovering but defeating the Conspiracy of Sejanus In short he was always commending Caius if it may be called commending to undertake his justification against all uncertain surmises and underermined accusations and carried himself so towards him that if Caius had been his Brother or F his Son he could not have done more Several have attributed the Cause to the respects which Caius always shew'd to Macro but more to the good offices of his Wife who for some private Reasons was always crying him up and magnifying him to her Husband and every one knows the influence of Women especially if they be immodest for then no Art nor Flattery can escape them that may conceal their transgressions from their Husband Macro being ignorant of some passages in his house interpreted these artifices for affection the greatest of his Enemies passed in his thoughts for the truest of his friends That he had preserved Caius in so many dangers and could not imagine that he would ever be ingrateful gave him the confidence to admonish him with great liberty upon an apprehension that he would either ruin himself G or be corrupted by other people He was like a good workman jealous of his own manufacture and could not endure it should be spoil'd Caius falling asleep one day at the Table Macro was bold to wake and admonish him that it was neither decent nor H secure for he in that condition might easily be slain When Caius was looking upon his Dancers or Mimicks with such extraordinary pleasure and attention that he could not contain from imitating their Gestures when not contenting himself to smile or be pleas'd he brake out into a loud Laughter among the Comedians or Buffoons or when he sung or play'd among the Musitians he jog'd him Gently if he was with in reach to the end he might give over and told him in his Ear what no body else durst have ventur'd to have said You are not SIR to abandon your self to the pleasures of your sence like other men but are rather to surpass them in gravity and prudence as much as you transcend them in dignity and I extraction How strange will it appear for the Monarch of the World to be unable to moderate himself in such slight and contemptible things The great honour that invirons you obliges you to do nothing unsuitable to the Majesty of so great and so redoubted an Emperour When you are in the Theatre or Circus or in the place of any publick exercise you are not to consider the show or spectacle so much as the pains and care which those persons who present it have taken to do it to your content and are to argue thus with your self If these persons have taken so much pains in things that are useless to the life of man and only serviceable to the pleasures of the spectators that thereby they may merit their applauses acclamation what is there incumbent upon a Prince who professes an art infinitely more estimable Do yoâ— not know that there is nothing equal to governing well seeing it causes plenty in all places capable of Cultivation and secures Navigation by which all the Provinces have Commerce and K communicate their respective Commodities Envy and Jealousie to frustrate this happy Communication have like poison infected some persons and some Towns But since your August Family has been advanced to the Sovereignty and Supreme power which extends it self as well over the Seas as Lands of the whole Earth it has repelled these monsters into the most recluse and obscure Solitudes To you alone it is that this supreme Authority is committed Providence has plac'd you as a judicious Pilot
joy for his recovery pag. 829 CHAP. III. Caius abandons himself to all kind of Debauchery and with horrible ingratitude and dreadful cruelty constrains Tiberius Grandson to the Emperour Tiberius to kill himself pag. 830 CHAP. IV. Caius puts to death Macro Colonel of the Pretorian Guards to whom he was obliged both for his Empire and Life pag. 831 CHAP. V. Caius puts to death Marcus Syllanus his Father in Law because he gave him wise Counsel And that Murder is followed by many others pag. 833 CHAP. VI. Caius requires to be reverenc'd as a Demi-God pag. 834 CHAP. VII The folly of Caius increasing he requires to be worshiped as a God and imitates Mercury Apollo and Mars pag. 835 CHAP. VIII Caius enraged against the Jews because they would not reverence him as a Demi-god like other People pag. 837 CHAP. IX The Inhabitants of Alexandria take advantage of the displeasure of Caius to commit great cruelty and outrage upon the Jews They destroy most part of their Oratories and set up the Emperors Statues though no such thing had ever been attempted in the Reigns of Augustus or Tiberius The Praises of Augustus ibid. CHAP. X. Caius being already incensed against the Jews of Alexandria is much exasperated by the Calumnies of Helico formerly an Egyptian Slave but now in great favour with the Emperour pag. 840 CHAP. XI The Jews of Alexandria send Embassadors to Caius to represent their grievances of which number Philo was chief Caius receives them kindly in appearance but Philo judg'd very well that he was not to be trusted pag. 841 CHAP. XII Philo and his Collegues are informed that Caius had sent Orders to Petronius Governour of Syria to cause his Statue to be set up in the Temple of Jerusalem p. 842 CHAP. XIII Petronius being sensible of the Injustice and ill Consequences of it is much troubled about the execution of that Order pag. 844 CHAP. XIV Petronius Orders a Statue to be made but very slowly he endeavours to perswade the Jews to admit it but in vain The Jews assemble from all places unanimously conjuring him against the Execution of that Order and to give them leave to send Embassadors to the Emperour pag. 845 CHAP. XV. Petronius affected with their Reasons and thinking it unsafe to run them into despair writes to Caius on purpose to gain time Caius is inraged but dissembles it in his Answer to Petronius pag. 846 CHAP. XVI King Agrippa comes to Rome and finding from Caius his own mouth his design of Erecting his Statue in the Temple of Jerusalem He falls into fainting fits being recollected be writes to the Emperour pag. 848 CHAP. XVII Caius relents upon Agrippa's Letter writes to Petronius to alter nothing in the Temple but repents immediately He causeth a Statue to be made privately in Rome and sent as privately to Jerusalem when he was to go to Alexandria he continues his resolution to be owned there as a God His Injustice and Cruelty pag. 851 CHAP. XVIII The Passion wherewith Caius treated Philo and the rest of the Embassadors pag. 852 A TABLE of the Chiefest and most Memorable Things which are handled in This WORK A. AAron Moses brother 67. G. cometh to meet him ibid. 1. holdeth up Moses hands 77. A. elected High Priest 88. M. his sons 89. A. High Priesthood confirmed to him 102. K. giveth his Priestly Ornaments to Eleazar 104. I. his death ibid. K. Aarons Rod fructifieth 103. A. Abdon Judge of Israel 139. E. renowned for his issue ibid. F. Abel second son of Adam 29. B. is commended ibid. C. is slain by his brother and why ibid. C. Abias levieth an Army 223. I. overcometh Jeroboam ibid. N. dieth ibid. O. his issue ibid. Abiathar escapes Sauls hands 166. L. telleth David of his Families slaughter ibid. asketh counsel of God 173. B. dispossessed of the Priesthood 104. I. helps Adonias 199. D. Abigail pacifieth David 169. B. C. after married to David ibid. E. Abibu Aarons son burned 89. G. and why ibid. G. Abimelech King of Geraer enamoured of Sara 39. E. plagued for taking her ibid. E. made a covenant with Abraham ibid. G. expelleth Isaac his Country 43. F. after makes a league with him 44. I. Abimelech Gideons bastard son 137. B. killeth 69 of his brethren and usurpeth ibid. B. practiseth against the Sichemites ibid. E. slayeth him and sacketh their City ibid. G. burned the Sichemites fled to the rock 138. H. taketh Tabez ibid. K. is wounded and slain ibid. K. Abiram rebellious 101. C. he and those that were with him swallowed up 102. H. Abisai overcometh the Idumaeans 182. L. sent against the Ammonites 183. E. Abisaei's valour 197. A. Abisag nourisheth David 199. C. Abner Sauls Uncle 151. B. questioneth with Saul ibid. B. General of his Army 164. M. maketh Isboseth King 176. H. revolteth from Isboseth ibid. O. Killeth Azael ibid. K. perswadeth the Governours to create David King 177. B. is slain 177. D. E. Abraham son of Thares 35. C. tenth from Noe ibid. C. taught the Egyptians Religion and Arts 36. M. first Preacher of the word 35. F. his wisdom ibid. an Astronomer 36. M. and an Arithmetician ibid. M. his house 36. I. oppressed by Famine ibid. K. divided the Land with Lot 36. K. rescueth Lot from the Sodomites 37. E. son promised him ibid. F. foretold his progeny to be evil entreated 38. H. circumcised himself and Ismael 38. L. entertaineth Angels and entreateth for the Sodomites ibid. N. intended to offer his son 41. B. C. marrieth Chetura ibid. G. provideth a wife for his son 42. K. dieth 43. D. is commended ibid. Absence of David excused 164. L. Absalon killeth Amnon 186. O. fled to Gessur 187. C. revoked from banishment and how ibid. F. affecteth the Kingdom 188. K. proclaimed King ibid. L. passeth over Jordan 191. B. his overthrow 191. E. slain by Joab ibid. F. Abundance foretold 61. G. Abundance of Silver 216. M. Abundance of victuals foreshewed 239. M. affected 240. E. Abundance of victuals shewed 736. I. Acclamation of the people 463. A. Accusation of Laban against Jacob 47. D. of Jacob against him ibid. F. of Putifars wife against Joseph 54. H. of Doeg against Achimelech 166. I. of Aristobulus and Hircanus 362. E. F. of Antipater against his brethren 592. M. of Nicolaus 601. B. of Antipater against Archelaus 606. M. of the Jews 610. K. Achab. son of Amri King of Israel 225. N. followeth impieties ibid. took to wife Jezabel 226. B. seeketh Elias 227. H. covets Naboths vineyard 228. F. his repentance 229. K. twice overcometh the Syrians 213. C. D. reproved for dismissing Adad 231. K. imprisoneth Michaias and why 233. H. rejected his advice ibid. I. wounded dieth ibid. K. Achabs seventy sons 243. K. Achar stole the spoils dedicated to God 123. E. hid them in his tent ibid. found guilty and put to death 124. I. Achaz King of Judah sacrificeth his son 251. I. serves Idols ibid. overthrown in battel ibid. O. hireth Theglaphalasar ibid.
the Israelites 77. C. spoiled and their utter ruine foretold ibid. and 118. N. overcome the Israelites 135 B. are destroyed 156. O. burnt Siceleg 173. A. Amarames Moses Father See Amram Amasias K. of Juda 246. E. revengeth his fathers death 247. M. overcometh the Amalechites ibid. O. reproved and why 248. A. commandeth Joas to yield him homage ibid. D. his army flies and he taken prisoner ibid. E. is slain ibid. F. Amasa slain 194. O. Amazement of the seditious 775. G. Ambition 177. E. of Adonias 199. D. of John 698. M. of Eleazar 711. F. An Ambush laid for the Ainites 124. I. Ambushes of Saul for David 167. E. c. of Adad for Joram 238. A. Amnon deflowreth Thamar 186. L. M. Ammonites oppress the Israelites 138. M. and are overcome 139. A. injure Davids Embassadours 183. C. revenge wrought on them ibid. F. War against Josaphat 234. G. kill one another 235. K. Amorites overcome 104. M. their Country possessed by the Hebrews 105. B. Amos a wicked King 258. D. is slain ibid. Amphitheater built by Herod 410. G. 415. L. Amram Moses father 63. B. prayeth to God 63. B. casts Moses into the river and why 63. G. Amri King of Israel 225. M. slew Thaman ibid. his impiety and death ibid. N. Ananias death 631. C. Ananus High Priest 539. B. Ananias High Priest slain 736. N. Ananus stoneth James 539. C. Ananus Governour of Jerusalem 637. F. his invective against the zealous 689. A. disposeth his souldiers ibid. slain 694. K. Ananus a cruel souldier 636. K. Achimelech entertaineth David 165. B. delivers him Goliabs sword ibid. C. accused to Saul 166. I. and slain 166. K. Ancestors conceal not honest things 25. G. Angels guarded Elizaeus 238. C. Angels i. sons of God 30. L. Angel resisteth Balaam 105. F. Angels promise Abraham a son 39. A. enter Lots house ibid. foretel the destruction of Sodom ibid. Angel appeared to Agar 38. I. 40. K. to Jacob 45. B. 48. M. to Manaach his wife 139. F. foretelleth her Samâ—oâ—s birth ibid. F. worketh a miracle 140. K. 238. C. Anger See Wrath. Anilaeus receiveth charge from Artabanus 499. E. killeth a noble man 500. I. reproved and accused ibid. M. taketh Mithridates prisoner 500. O. Anna wife of Elcana prayed to God for a son 143. G. bare Samuel and consecrated him to God 144. I. Annius taketh Gerasa 702. N. Answer of Simon to Jesus Oration 691. A. Answer of Isaac 41. C. of Balaam to Balac 106. M. of God to Joshuah 124. H. of Achab to the Syrians 229. O. of Caesar to Herod 582. H. of Antipater to Herod 600. L. of John 684. M. of Eleazar to Antiochus 818. I. of Alexander 295. K. Antaeus against whom Hercules made war 42. I. Antigonus copartner in the Kingdom 349. D. his death complotted ibid. F. effected 350. H. 561. C. Antigonus accuseth Hircanus and Antipater 370. D. 568. H. promiseth the Parthians money and why 380. F. restored to the Kingdom 383. H. cutteth off Hircanus ears ibid. H. declared an enemy to the Romans 384. C. 577. E. upbraideth Herod 385. N. getteth Massada 575. A. repulseth Herods power ibid. surpriseth Herods victuallers 386. B. cruelly handleth Josephs carcass 577. O. submitteth himself to Sosius 391. H. put to death ibid. L. Antiochus the Great vexeth the Jews 305. E. recovers Cities of Coelosyria ibid. F. his Epistle to Ptolomy 306. his Edict in honour of the Temple 306. his Epistle to Zeuxis 307. I. Antiochus Epiphanes departeth Egypt 313. L. spoileth the Temple of Jerusalem ibid. N. abrogates Gods Laws 214. G. inforceth the Jews to Idolatry ibid. tortureth Eleazar 818. M. slayeth him 819. H. forbiddeth the Jews to use their Laws 314. G. c. invades Judaea again 317. I. departeth into Persia ibid. besiegeth Elymas 321. I. falleth sick and dieth ibid. K. Antiochus Eupater created King 321. N. marcheth into Judaea 312. B. fighteth with Judas Macchabeus ibid. C. marcheth against Philip ibid. E. entreth a league with Judas 323. I. slayeth Philip ibid. K. displaceth Onias ibid. is slain ibid. M. Antiochus son of Alexander 337. I. crowned King ibid. discomfited Demetrius 338. A. favoureth Jonathan ibid. Antiochus marrieth Cleopatra 343. K. putteth Triphon to flight ibid. L. warreth against Hircanus 345. I. permitteth a truce ibid. K. slain 346. A. Antiochus Gryphus overcometh Alexander 347. I. his War against his brother ibid. slain 353. M. Antiochus Cyzicenus warreth against his brother 347. K. 351. B. put to flight 347. N. slain 353. M. Antiochus Eusebius puts Seleucus to flight 353. N. slayeth Seleucus brother ibid. dieth ibid. O. Antiochus Seleucus slayeth his Uncle 353. M. burned ibid. N. Antiochus Dionysius King 355. K. thrust out of his Kingdom ibid. slain 345. M. Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens 762. M. N. Antiochus King of Comagena accused 77. O. his choice c. ibid. M. reconciled to Caesar ibid. N. Antipas Herods son 606. K. claimeth the Kingdom ibid. accuseth Archelaus 606. L. hath part of the Kingdom with Archelaus 471. D. Antipater the Idumaean 360. K. incenseth the Princes against Aristobulus 360. M. relieveth Gabinius 367. M. his wife and children 369. A. c. gathereth souldiers for Caesars service ibid. E. made a citizen of Rome and Governour over Judaea 370. C. D. E. 567. F. makes his sons Governours 372. B. perswadeth Hircanus to flye 564. N. his exploits 567. C. poisoned 377. H. 570. K. Antipater banished 585. G. advanced 426. M. inciteth his father against his brothers 426. N. his congratulation 429. F. plotteth against his brethren 433. E. 588. L. cause of mischief 436. M. governeth the Kingdom c. 448. L. practiseth his fathers death ibid. M. 598. M. could not deceive his Aunt 448. N. hateth his brothers children 449. C. his treasons 599. F. accuseth Syllaeus 598. L. 452. K. studieth to win favour 594. M. conspireth against his father 594. L. accused by Herod 455. E. 599. F. answereth his fathers objections 456. H. hated of all 599. B. 457. G. hath liberty to justifie himself ibid. D. put to death 461. G. 603. A. Antipater accuseth Antipater 453. E. Antipater accuseth Archelaus 465. E. 606. L. M. Antipatris built 430. N. burned 635. C. Antiphilus letter to Antipater 456. M. blamed 459. B. Antiquity of the Jews proved 784. M. See Arguments Antiquities when written 543. B. Antonia described 722. A. not unlike a City ibid. C. Antonius writeth to Hircanus 378. G. writeth in the Jews behalf 379. K. maketh Tetrarchs 380. C. loveth Herod 384. B. maketh Herod King ibid. C. requireth Aristobulus 394. B. giveth Cleopatra a portion of Judaea and Arabia 399. H. conquereth Armenia ibid. M. Aphrica once called Lybia 42. I. Apollonius accuseth the Jews 806. M. Apollonius sent to rob the Temple 417. B. acknowledged his offence ibid. C. General of Antiochus army 316. E. discomfited and slain ibid. E. Apollonius Davus put to flight 334. E. Apology of Achimelech 166. K. of Aristobulus 363. H. Apostacy of the Priests 294. A. Apostates
from the Jewish Religion 213. I. Apparel 612. O. Appion wrote coldly 798. L. of Moses and the Jews ibid. his fiction refuted 799. F. c. denieth his Country 800. H. raileth against the Jews ibid. I. his objection of the Asses head answered 803. A. upbraideth the Jews 805. D. praiseth himself ibid. accuseth the Jews 494. I. Apples of Mandragora 47. A. Apprehension of John and Simon 759. E. Arabians Ismaels posterity 40. I. slay Herods souldiers 290. M. kill the Jews Embassadors 401. I. overcome 402. G. receive thieves 439. A. brake the league made 574. H. defeat Herods Army 580. O. are overcome 582. K. An Arbiter betwixt the Senate and Claudius 617. E. Archelaus accused 454. K. promiseth his subjects favour 605. C. appointed 603. D. lamenteth 605. B. suppresseth the sedition 464. K. L. repairs to Rome ibid. O. approved c. 466. N. accused 470. L. excused 471. B. accused and banished 473. D. his dream 612. Archelaus King of Cappadocia 437. F. his ingenious speech 590. M. conferreth with Herod 590. L. reconcileth Alexander to his father 437. G. made Herod and Pheroras friends 438. I. excuseth himself 442. L. Aretas King of Arabia 564. N. overthroweth Alexander 355. M. puts Aristobulus to flight 361. I. furnisheth Hircanus with 50000 souldiers 564. N. Aretas accuseth Syllaeus 452. K. discomfiteth Herods army 484. N. Arguments for the Jews antiquity 784. M. 785. A. c. 786. G. c. 787. A. c. 788. N. c. 789. F. c. 791. D. Arioch a Captain of the Assyrians 37. B. Aristaeus obtaineth the Jews liberty 299. K. Aristobulus first King c. 349. D. imprisoneth his brethren famisheth his mother ibid. 560. N. his punishment 350. I. K. 561. F. compelleth the Iturians to be circumcised 350. M. slayeth Antigonus 350. H. his miserable end 350. L. 561. G. Aristobulus accuseth the Pharisees 357. I. his attempt 358. I. seizeth the Castles ibid. K. striveth for the Kingdom with Hircanus 360. I. agreed ibid. K. his war against Aretas and Hircanus 362. C. his presents to Pompey 362. D. promiseth Pompey money 364. I. led to Rome 365. M. poysoned 369. C. Aristobulus why not sent to Antonius 394. D. his death contrived 395. L. drowned 396. C. Aristobulus Herods son 422. O. accused 426. K. c. reconciled 429. E. objected to his wife her birth 589. B. condemned 444. L. strangled 445. F. Aristobulus hateth Agrippa 487. B. entreateth Petronius 495. C. Aristobulus governeth Armenia 536. M. his subtilty 546. H. Aristocracy the best kind of Government 113. A. Arithmetick 36. M. Arius King of Lacedaemon 311. G. sendeth letters to Onias 312. H. Ark of Noab 30. N. the length and breadth thereof ibid. L. M. where it resled 31. D. Ark of God surprized 144. N. carried into the Temple of Dagon 146. L. carried to Bethsama 147. O. brought to Jerusalem 180. M. N. Ark transferred into Ceriathiarim 147. F. Ark carried into the Temple 210. F. placed in the Sanctuary and in it the Tables of Stone 211. H. 100000 Armed men against Joseph 639. F. Arms of the Egyptians c. 72. N. Armour of Goliah 159. C. Armour of Saul 160. I. Armour of the Roman footmen 661. C. The Armies order when the Tabernacle removed 95. B. An Army sent against the Midianites 108. L. Army of Senacherib destroyed 256. F. An huge Army of the Canaanites 125. D. Army of Susac 221. H. of Josaphat 231. N. of Ozias 247. N. Army of the Romans 660. L. Army of Herod overthrown and why 484. N. M. Arnon a river 104. L. Arrival of the Israelites at Raphidim 75. E. of Raguel in Sinai 77. F. of the Ark at Bethsama 147. D. Arrogancy of Amasias 248. O. of Ozias 250. B. of the Jews 756. K. Arsaces King of Parthia 340. D. taketh Demetrius ibid. slayeth Antiochus 346. A. Asprenas Gown defiled 509. A. he is cut in pieces 511. B. Art of forging who first invented 29. G. Artabanus King of Media 479. D. obtaineth Parthia ibid. restored to his Kingdom 483. E. Artabanus requireth Izates assistance 530. M. recovereth his Kingdom 531. B. Artaxerxes King of Persia 286. B. no man to approach his Throne unless he were called 297. I. honoured Mardoche 290. D. hangeth Aman 291. I. sendeth letters for the Jews safety ibid. L. Artorius sayeth himself 748. I. his promise to Lucius ibid. Aruntius signifieth the Emperours death 512. M. Asa King of Juda 224. K. his piety ibid. K. his victory ibid M. inciteth the King of Damascus against Basa 229. I. dies 226. B. Ascalonites punished and why 309. L. Aser the son of Jacob 46. O. what it signifies ibid. O. his sons 61. C. Asinaeus beset by the Governour of Babylon 598. L. his friendship sought 10. O. received charge from Artabanus 499. E. poysoned 500. M. Asphaltite lake 702. K. admirable property thereof ibid. Assault of Jerusalem 740. K. of Antonia 742. M. Assar for how much sold 97. D. Asses head sold 238. F. Ass speaketh to Balaam 105. G. Asses how many taken at one booty 109. A. Asses of Cis lost 150. L. found ibid. N. Asses head objected 803. A. Assembly of the Hebrews thrice in the year 111. F. Assembly of Samaritans on Mount Gerazim 670. B. Assurance of Joseph c. 671. L. Assistance of God promised 110. L. of Saul to the men of Jabes 152. L. Assyrians Lords over Asia 37. A. overthrew the Sodomites ibid. B. of whom took their name 42. H. overcame the Israelites 250. E. 253. N. transported them 252. A. 253. N. vanquished the Syrians and them of Damascus 250. F. and 252. G. their destruction foretold 250. D. effected 257. L. Astrological predictions 491. B. Astronomy invented 36. N. Athalia rooteth out the royal blood 244. D. and put to death 245. H. Athniel a Judge of Israel 133 C. overcometh Schisar ibid. C. recovereth the Israelites liberty ibid. C. Athronges usurpeth the Kingdom 468. O. taken 469. C. Attendance on Saul 151. F. Attire of Vespasian and Titus 766. I. Avarice 177. E. of Antiochus 343. N. of Sabinus 467. C. not terrified with punishment 738. H. Authority how purchased 61. F. Authority of Moses 97. C. Authority of Mordocheus 292. F. of the Pharisees 356. C. Authors of the sedition punished 102. M. Authors of injuries punished 672. N. Azarias the Prophet exhorts to virtue 224. M. Azarias the High Priest 250. B. Azael King of the Assyrians 228. D. Azaels tyranny foretold 240. C. invades Judaea 246. D. hired to depart ibid. invades the Israelites 245. M. destroys their Country ibid. M. Azotians plagued and why 146. L. B. BAal god of the Tyrians 244. B. his Priests slain ibid. Baaras a root 768. I. his property ibid. Baasa King of Israel 214. I. roots out Jeroboams race ibid. his impiety 224. N. a Prophecy against him ibid. surprizeth Ramah 225. I. dieth ibid. K. Babas sons preserved 410. D. accused 410. F. slain ibid. Babylon the place where tongues were confounded 33. C. what it signifies ibid. D. besieged
Father 104. I. dies 128. O. Eleazar kills an Elephant 322. D. slain 558. N. Eleazar upbraideth Hircanus 348. E. Eleazar an arch thief surprized 620. K. Eleazar exerciseth cruelty 619. C. Eleazar one of the Zealous 690. L. causeth the Idumaeans to be sent for ibid. L. Eleazar kills himself 704. K. Eleazar taken 768. M. whipt ibid. exhorts the Jews to submit 768. O. Eleazar Captain of the Sicarians 771. C. besieged in Massada 772. A. shews the Romans tyranny 776. H. Eleazar brought to Antiochus 817. F. whipt 818. M. his answer to Antiochus 818. I. his death 819. A. B. Election of a King 113. B. C. Eli High Priest 142. L. had wicked sons 143. E. his and their end foretold 144. L. hearing of the Ark lost died 145. B. Genealogy 145. C. Eliab a Workman of the Tabernacle 80. L. 89. C. Elias fed by Crows 226. C. entertained by the widow of Sareptha ibid. D. restores the widows son ibid. G. prophesieth rain to Achab 228. B. reproveth the superstition of the people 227. L. confirms his doctrine and slays Baals Priests 228. A. B. flees from Jezabel ibid. B. prophesieth revenge to Achab and Jezabel 229. B. reproves Ochozias messengers 335. O. prayeth that fire consume his Captains 236. B. and foreshows his death ibid. B. is taken from men ibid. D. Elimelech goes to Moab and why 142. M. his and his sons death ibid. M. his heritage seized 143. D. E. Elizaeus calling 228. E. foretelleth of water and of victory 235. I. relieveth a poor widow and how 237. O. adviseth Joram to beware of Adad 238. A. B. discovereth his ambush ibid. B. leadeth the Syrians into Samaria 238. E. foretells plenty of victuals 239. L. also Adads death and Azaels cruelty 240. G. visited by Joas 247. H. foresheweth his treble victory ibid. I. his death and event thereof 247. I. K. Eloquence of Moses 67. B. 74. K. Embassadours of David abused 183. C. of Ezechiâ—s ill intreated 252. F. G. of Jonathan to Demetrius 337. K. of Herod 602. N. Embassadours to Pompey 363. E. Embassadours send to Joseph 12. K. 14. I. hope to get Tiberias 16. L. their false accusations 17. B. Embassage of Moses to the Idumaeans 103. E. to Sebon 104. L. Balacks to the Midianites 105. E. his and their first and second to Balaam ibid. E. Embassage of the nine Tribes to the other two 127. I. of the Galaadites to Saul 152. K. of the Syrians to Achab 229. L. Embassage of Balad 257. L. of the Jews 281. M. of the Jews to Rome 470. K. Emmor King of the Sichemites slain 49. C. Emperours of Rome why called Caesars 214. M. Emperours strife to be at peace with the Jews 729. C. 729. C. D. Empire of Rome in an uproar 705. D. Empire of the Persians 788. O. End of captivity 274. E. End of Antiochus Epiphan miserable 321. K. End of the Jews answerable to their lives 771. F. Engines 666. N. fired 666. N. 734. H. 740. M. Enemies of the Israelites to be destroyed 111. A. and why ibid. Enemies how to be used 810. O. Enemies to be buried 116. I. Endeavour of Agrippa c. 626. H. Enlargement of the Kingdom of Israel 248. G. Enneus Abrahams friend 37. F. Enoch son of Jared 31. C. taken up to God ibid. D. 236. D. Enos Cains first son 29. F. Enosa the first City builded 29. F. Enquiry for Jonathans kindred 182. N. Ensign of the Romans 662. M. N. Entertainment given to Antipater 599. D. to Vespasian at Rome 763. C. Enumeration of the Countries subjected to the Romans 626 N. 627. B. 628. I. Envy of the Serpent 28. L. of Abimelech 43. F. of Leas to Rachel 46. M. of her to Leas ibid N. of Josephs brethren 50. O. of the Egyptians towards the Israelites 62. M. of Saul against David 160. N. of Herodias 492. O. of John 640. M. Ephod 87. B. Ephraim son of Joseph 56. 1. Ephramites get Bethel 129. E. displeased with Jeptha are appeased 139. B. slain by Jeptha ibid. D. Epicrates sells Scythopolis c. 348. A. Epilogue of the Antiquities 542. N. Epitaphs 135. F. and 178. H. 260. D. Erection of the Tabernacle 81. B. Errour of Epicures confuted 273. O. Esay the Prophet 256. B. comforts Ezechias 256. B. foretold Senacheribs overthrow and death ibid. B. assureth Ezechias of life 257. I. K. foreshews the captivity ibid. M. Esau son of Isaac 43. E. called Seir and why ibid. E. foretold to be author of a Nation 43. E. his wives 44. I. went a hunting ibid. K. denied the blessing and why 44. N. foretold to be mighty yet his brothers vassal ibid. N. wept for loss of the blessing ibid. D. selleth his birth-right 50. L. Eschol Abrahams friend 37. F. Esdras the Lawyer 282. B. assembled the Jews in Babylon 283. E. repairs to Jerusalem c. 283. H. his prayers for the Levites 283. K. reads the Law 284. B. Esseans a sect 239. M. 477. E. 612. L. swear not 613. C. have their goods common 612. M. their religion and labour 613. A. in compassion and helping their choice 613. C. observe the Sabbath 616. H. live long ibid. I. they prophesie 610. M. their opinion of the soul 614. K. believe not the resurrection ibid. marriage 612. L. apparel 612. N. obey Governours 613. C. just 613. E. Essen what it is 87. C. D. Esther made Queen 287. H. resorteth to the King and why 289. I. accuseth Aman and why 290. F. Estate of Solomon declined and why 217. I. K. Ethnarch a Governour 610. I. Ethnicks punished and why 304. D. E. Eve created 28. I. tempted transgresseth ibid. L. her punishment 28. N. cast out of Paradise 29. A. her children ibid. B. Evening what 27. E. Event of the battel foretold 171. E. Event of battel changeth 746. I. Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias 270. F. dies ibid. F. Evidence against Antipater 598. L. M. Eunuchs of what gift deprived 117. E. Euphrates a River of Paradise 28. K. called also Phora ibid. Euricles wins Herods favour 440. M. relates Alexanders words to Herod 441. B. 592. I. K. gets money by craft 441. B. 592. H. plays the Ambodexter 591. F. G. 592. H. I. Of Exactions a mitigation craved 405. B. C. denied ibid. Example to do evil 157. A. 221. C. Example of the Athenians c. 626. M. Excursions See Incursions Excuse of Davids absence 164. O. of Malchâ—s 574. H. of the two brethren 589. D. of Antipater 600. L. M. Execration of Saul 155. D. E. Exercise of the Romans 660. M. N. Exhortation of Moses to the people 71. F. 74. M. Exhortation to maintain liberty 511. N. to contemn death 775. B. Exhortation to be obedient to Gods will 110. K. Exhortation of Saul to War 152. M. Exhortation of Solomon to the people 212. C. of Azarias 214. M. of Josaphat to his Subjects 234. E. of Ezechias to the Priests 252. F. G. of Matthias to his Sons 316. A. of the Princes to the people 624. K. of Samuel to the
36. H. writ a Volume of Abraham ibid. K. Height of the Mountain Itaburium 682. M. Temple 208. M. Heirs of David 181. D. Helen Queen of Adiabena 928. L. repaireth to Jerusalem 530. K. Heliopolis appointed for Jacob 61. D. Help of God when most ready 71. O. Help of God to be sought for 74. O. Heraulds 118. H. Hercules his War 42. I. Herod made Governor of Galilee 372. B. executeth Ezechias 372. C. called in question ibid. F. 578. O. saveth himself by flight 373. K. killeth Malichus 370. O. 570. O. expelleth Antigonus out of Jewry 378. B. 571. C. marrieth Mariamme ibid. accused made Tetrarch 380. B. C. 571. F. assailed by the Parthians 382. A. fleeth to Malchâ—â— 383. K. made King 384. C. leadeth his Army against Antigonus 385. M. 571. C. his Proclamation 385. M. 575. E. overcometh the Galileans 386. D. 388. D. subdueth the Thieves 387. I. K. 576. M. repaireth to Antonius 391. K. wounded 388. G. besiegeth Jerusalem 389. K. hindreth the spoil of the City 391. I. bribeth Antonius ibid. L. preferreth his favourites 392. honoureth Hircaâ—â—â— 393. N. maketh Annuel High Priest 393. O. taketh the Priesthood from Ananel 395. I. contriveth Aristobulus's death 393. N. his counterfeit sorrow 396. E. goeth to Antony 39. C. committeth his Wife to Joseph c. ibid. C. D. E. instateth Cleopatra c. 399. C. levieth an Army 400. B. overcometh the Arabians 402. G. 582. K. dismayed at Antonies overthrow 403. M. practiseth Hircanus death 404. D. banisheth Antipater 585. F. repaireth to Caesar 405. K. his speech to Caesar ibid. entertaineth Caesar and his Army 406. B. incensed against Mariamme 407. I. against Pheroras 590. N. cometh to Jericho 576. I. takes Sephoris 576. L. his Buildings and works as Theaters 410. G. Castles 412. B. 414. G. 415. I. 415. L. 416. F. 417. H. H. 584. M. 585. A. distributeth Corn among the People 413. L. remits the third part of Tribute 417. H. sweareth the people 417. K. re-edifieth the Temple 418. A. B. c. saileth into Italy 422. L. giveth Wives to his Sons 422. O. his liberality 423. B. 424. G openeth Davids Sepulchre 433. B. crediteth all tales 436. I. weary of his life why 437. D. fortunate abroad and unfortunate at home 426. M. beheadeth Pappus 578. O. accuseth his Sons before Caesar 427. E. 428. I. K. 578. B. giveth ear to Accusers 441. A. B. accuseth his Sons 444. K. 593. D. strangleth them 594. K. accuseth Pheroras Wife 451. D. sendeth Antipater to Caesar 452. I. tortureth the Bond-Women 453. B. putteth away his Wife 454. K. calleth Antipater from Rome 454. M. 998. N. bringeth him in question 455. D. imprisoneth Antipater 458. â— maketh his Will 459. D. E. 467. I. certified of his Brothers death 578. H. commandeth the Nobles to be slain 460. N. his liberality 460. O. 579. G. bemoaneth his Sons 594. N. betrotheth his Nephews ibid. G. 595. I. loved Antipater above the rest 600. I. blotteth him out of his Testament 601. E. putteth him to death 603. A. his own death and burial 462. K. c. 603. D. Herod fortifieth Cities 478. I. buildeth Tiberias 478. N. Herod dismisseth Aretas Daughter 484. M. marrieth Herodias ibid. N. repaireth to Rome 493. C. accused and banished ibid. D. E. Herod created King of Chalcis 519. E. killeth Silas 524. F. his authority to create the High Priest 528. K. Herodias envieth Agrippa 492. O. banished 493. E. Herodian a Castle 573. D. 585. A. High Priests Ornaments 871. B. c. garment 721. High Priest since Sadoc 265. M. Hill of witness 48. I. Hiraâ— his League 179. D. his Ambassadors to Solomon 206. N. promiseth him Wood 207. B. receiveth great quantity of Wheat 117. D. ibid. proposeth hard questions 213. F. Hircanus High Priest 334. G. besiegeth Ptolomy ibid. maketh peace with Antiochus 345. M. taketh Money out of Davids Mounument ibid. N. surprizeth Cities of Syria 346. C. conquereth the Idumeans ibid O. besiegeth Samaria 347. M. takes it 348. B. discontented with the Pharisees 348. B. followeth the Sadduces 110. G. his death ibid. Hircanus Josephs Son 309. M. Treason intended against him 310. K. accused and why 310. F. his Apology ib. his jests 311. B. C. assailed by his brethren 311. E. afflicteth the Arabians 31â— K. his buildings ibid. K. kills himself ibid. C. Hircanus High Priest 566. N. 357. H. content to live a private life 360. I. his Embassage to Scaurus 362. B. repaireth the walls of Jerusalem 376. F. honoured by the Atheniaâ—s 371. I. foretold of his death 373 H. his Ambassadours brought into the Senate 375. M. taken prisoner 381. N. highly hououred 393. N. his death 404. C. Hire of a Harlot 111. G. Hire not to be detained 117. D. History of Dina 49. B. Histories recited 729. C. Histories of Antiquities 780. K. Historiographers refuted 792. K. L. 793. F. 794. K. N. 795. F. 796. F. 797. A. B. hide Antiochus perjury 803. D. Holy oyntment 89. C. Holocaust or burnt Sacrifice 91. B. Homer antientest Greek Writer 781. B. Homicide committed 112. O. Honourable drawn before Tyrants 732. I. Honouring of strange gods look Idolatry Honours of Joseph 55. G. and 60. M. Honour of the Magistrate 112. L. 626. K. Honour change manners 166. M. Honour of Mordocheus 289. C. D. Honour due to Parents 810. L. Horses taken 127. A. Horsemen of Solomon 206. K. Horsemen brought Letters to Joseph 13. D. Horsemen of the Romans 661. D. Hospitality of the Esseans 612. N. Host look Army Houshold-stuff 127. A. Houses full of dead Men 735. F. 758. K. Humanity becometh a King 169. C. Humanity of Balaam 105. D. E. of the three Kings 237. L. of Caesar 607. D. of Titus 744. N. Humanity of Titus counted cowardize 727. B. Humanity of the Romans inciteth the Jews against them 754. O. Hunger killeth many 727. D. Hurt of the General dismaieth the Soldiers 233. K. Hymns sung to God 253. H. J. JAbisites besieged 152. H. promised assistance ibid. L. bury the bodies of Saul and his Sons 174. K. praised 175. Jabin a King of Canaan 134. K. subdueth the Israelites ibid. L. his Army put to flight 135. A. Jacob the Son of Isaac 43. E. his greatness foretold ibid. held his brothers heel 43. E. steals the Blessing 44 M. fleeing to Laban seeth a Vision 45. B. voweth a Sacrifice to God ibid. D. arriveth at Charran ibid. A. talks with Rachel and Laban ibid F. c. requireth Rachel c. 46. â— deceived 46. L. departeth privily from Laban 47. â— accuseth Laban of ill dealing 47. F. maketh a Covenant with him 48. H. sendeth messengers to his brother Esaâ— 48. K. is reconciled to him and how ibid. M. wrestleth with an Angel ibid. N. sacrificeth 42. D. bewaileth Joseph 52. M. sendeth his Sons into Egypt c. 56. K. would not part without Benjamin 57. D. rejoyceth at Josephs prosperity 60. M. his journey into Egypt 61. B. meeteth Joseph and talks with Pharaoh 61. D. blesseth his Sons
the Israelites 135. C. kill one another 136. K. Madus and his Progeny 33. G. Magicians could not expound the dream 268. E. F. 269. N. Magicians deceive many 537. C. work much mischief 620. N. Magistrates to be obeyed 110. L. M. to be honoured and reverenced 112. L. M. 626. K. 882. N. their duty 234. E. Magog another of the Scythians 33. G. Magnanimity of Herod 430. N. of the Romans 802. M. Magnificence of Solomon 215. D. 216. M. of Ezechias 253. H. I. of Herod 585. C. of Vespasians triumph 766. I. Maidens of Israel sing and dance 160. N. Malchus King of Arabia 574. H. repelled Herod ibid. A. repented him of that dealing 575. B. Male children put to death and why 62. O. Maledictions of Moses 118. M. N. Malefactors executed 540. I. Malice of Pharaoh 62. O. of Daeg and Saul 166. K. L. of the Ziphians 169. D. of the Egyptians to the Jews 792. I. Malichus layeth wait for Antipater 376. F. poysoneth him 377. H. slain ibid. N Mambres Abrahams Friend 37. F. Man created 27. G. called Adam and why 28. H. imposed names on the creatures 28. I. placed in Paradise 28. I. transgresseth ibid. H. cast out of Paradise 29. A. author of his own death 32. K. Manahem foretels Herods reign 417. N. Manahem King of Israels acts 250. D. bought his peace ibid. E. dieth 250. E. Manahemus chief of the rebels 631. A. slain 631. E. Manasses marrieth Senaballats daughter 293. K. retaineth his wife ibid. K. L. enjoyeth his desire 294. F. Manasses Josephs son 56. I. King Manasses impiety 258. B. led away prisoner 258. C. repenting is restored ibid. C. his acts 258. D. dieth ibid. Mandate of Cyrus 275. K. Manethon an Egyptian Writer 784. N. sheweth the coming and departure of the Jews c. 786. K. his fabulous reports 792. L. his lies confuted 793. E. his words repeated 798. K. Manna what 75. B. food of the Israelites 75. C. how much to be gathered ibid. C. when it ceased 122. O. Manner of Purification 103. G. Manners of the Egyptians 62. N. of the Esseans 612. M. 613. C. of the Idumaeans 690. M. of the Athenians 813. D. of the Persians 813. G. Manoachs wife saw an Angel 139. F. foretold of a son and instructed ibid. F. is seen of both 140. H. I. Man-slaughter 109. E. Mara what 73. E. March of the Romans 662. L. M. Mariam Moses sister 63. G. watch him ibid. G. fetched his mother 64. K. her death 103. G. Mardochaeus Esthers Uncle 286. G. discovered the traitors 287. I. K. his lamenting and why 288. A. B. honoured 290. D. Marriage when to be contracted 114. M. Marriage with an harlot forbidden ibid. M. Marriage with a bond-woman 115. D. Marriages made 594. N. broken 595. C. Mariamne wife of Herod 378. C. committed to Joseph 397. C. accused excused her self 398. D. E. displeased with Herod 496. E. coldly entertained Herod 407. I. upbraided Herod 586. K. accused and put to death 408. M. 586. N. Marphad sacked Syria 37. B. killed Giants ibid. B. Marsus Governour of Syria 522. H. displeased ibid. Martial Discipline 638. L. M. 660. M. N. Masons how employed 207. D. E. Massacre of the Jews 632. I. c. 633. C. c. 634. K. c. 736. M. N. c. Massada a strong Castle 771. C. for what occasion builded 773. A. battered with the Ram 773. C. Matter for the building of the Tabernacle 80. L. M. Matter committed in trust 117. C. Matthias refuseth to commit Idolatry 315. K. â—layeth an Apostate ibid. rooteth out Idolatry 313. N. his death 316. D. maketh war against Antiochus 558. K. Matthias raiseth sedition 460. I. burned ibid. L. Matthias cruelly handled 736. M. Measures found out and by whom 29. F. Medimnus a certain measure 97. E. Meeting of the Hebrews thrice a year 111. F. Melancholy of Herod 602. M. Melchisedech King of Solyma 47. E. entertaineth Abraham c. ibid. praiseth God and receiveth the tenths 47. E. Men thronged to death 618. O. Menelaus High Priest 313. I. warreth against Jason ibid. Mephiboseth obtains the possession of Saul 182. O. purgeth himself of Sibas slanders 193. E. restored to the half of his possessions 194. I. Merchandise brought to Solomon 216. K. Merchants of Arabia buy Joseph 52. K. sold him to Putiphar ibid. N. of Tharsis 235. M. Mercy hurtful in War 726. N. Mercy of Varus 609. F. of Titus towards Joseph 673. E. to his enemies 685. E. Meroe a strong City of Aethiopia 65. F. Messengers sent to David 163. C. to Nabal 168. N. Mesopotamia troublesom to travellers 42. K. Mesopotamians submit themselves 184 i. Method of morality and discipline 808 i. Methusala Enoch's son 30. how long he lived 31 c. Mice devour the fruit c. 146 m. Micheaâ— reproveth Achab and why 231 i. how rewarded ib. i. foretelleth Achab's death and Sedechiah's punishment 232 d e. his allowance 233 h. Michol daughter of Saul 162 i. given to David in marriage ib. i. conveyeth David away 163 c. deceiveth Saul's messengers 163 0. restored to David 175 o. mocked at him 181 a. Midwives of Egypt 62 o. Mildness of David 168 i. Military Discipline 638 l m. 660 m n. A Mind furnished with virtues 158 l. Ministeries of the Gabeonites 125 a. Miracles 681 k l. 220 b. 227 n. 226 d. 226 n. 237 o. Miracle of the Sun 's going back 257 l. Miracle of Elias 701 e. Misa King a Moab 237 l. put to flight ibid. l. sacrificeth his son ibid. m. Misdemeanour of the wicked 30 n. of Samuel's sons 149 d. of a soldier 618 n. 619 h. Misery of the Israelites 62 m. 63 e. 68 h. 74 o. fore-prophesied 222 e. of the Jews fore-told 259 k. of Judea 476 m. of the Jews prophesied 628 n. of the people 732 m. 739 g. Three Miseries assail Jerusalem 698 o. Mithridates King of Parthia 35â— i. Mithridates King of Pontâ—s slain 363 m. Mithridates warreth with the Egyptians 370 b. commendeth Antipater to Caesar ibid. b. Moabites put to flight 134 i. war against Josaphat 234 g. kill one another 235 l. Module of the Temple 201 m. Module of the Tabernacle proposed to Moses 80 m. Moderation of Saul 151 e. of David 170 i. Moderation in abundance hardly kept 248 b. Monarchy of the Assyrians destroyed 257 l. Money taken out of David's tomb 345 n. distributed 728 i. Monobazus King of Adiabena 528 l. Moon made 27 f. her end and motion ibid f. Monument of the Priesthood confirmed 102 l. Monument of Jonathan 343 d. of David 345 n. of John the high Priest 723 c. Morning whaâ— 27 e. Moses the son of Amrem 63 b. foretold to afflict the Egyptians estate and advanceth the Israelites 62 n. cast into the flood 63 g. taken out thereof ibid. h. called Moses 64 k. adopted by Pharaoh's daughter spurned the Crown ib. m. conducted the Egyptians against the Aethiopians 65 c. his victory ib. the Jews law-maker 26 n. more ancient than other law-makers 791
Jews of Caesar's threats 616 n. writeth to Caius 496 i. receiveth Letters of Caius's death 497 â— 617 d. his Letter to the Dorâ—res 521 c. Phaceias King of Israel 250 â— his impiety and wickedness ibid. e. slew 120000 Jews 251 l. took Achaz's son Prisoner ib. m. was slain 252 c. Pharao enamoured of Sara 36 l. plagâ—ed ib. m. Pharao his dreams 55 b c. delivereth Joseph from bonds ib. c. advanceth him to great honour 55 g. rejoyceth at the arrival of Joseph's brethren 60 m. enquireth Jacob's age 61 e. restored the profits of his subject's lands 62 h. Pharao killeth the male children 62 o. would have killed Moses 64 n. and 66 k. his death 67 f. Pharao counselled to dismiss the Hebrews 68 i. not moved with miracles layeth heavier tasks on them ib. l. advised once more ibid. â— driveth away Moses 70 h. dismisseth the Israelites ib. k. his host drowned 72 k. Pharisees a sect 339 m. 477 a. greedy of revenge 357 i. exempt from swearing 417 l. would not swear obedience 451 c. 463 d. their opinion 614 n. Pharos a tower 708 m. Phasaelus his government 372 c. vanquisheth Foelix 377 o. 571 b. made Tetrarch 380 c. 571 e. taken prisoner 371 n. dasheth out his brains 383 i. Phasaelus Tower and City 530 n. 584 n. Pheroras made Tetrarch 416 g. accuseth Alexander and Aristobulus 426 l. refuseth the Kings daughter 433 g. blamed for Alexanders offence 438 l. pardoned ibid. deceived 450 m. refuseth to put away his wife 451 f. banished 596 m. falleth sick and dieth 452 m. 596 n. his wise accused 452 o. she confesseth the poyson 453 f. Philip rebelleth against Antiochus 322 f. is slain 323 k. Philip King of Syria 355 i. besiegeth Demetrius 355 h. Philip Herod's son 471 d. hath part of the Kingdom 471 d. repaireth Cities 478 â— Philo Judaeus's defence c. 494 i. Philistines overcame the Israelites 139 f. exacted tribute of them 139 f. put to flight 1â—8 m. invade the Israelâ—ites 154 k. are overcome 155 b c. and 160 m. discomfit Sauls army 173 f. overcome by David 180 i. k. by Ozias 249 l. by Ezechias 253 k. Phineas the son of Eleazar 108 k. slayeth Zambrias and Chosbi ib. l. overthrew the Madianites 108 l m. his Oration to the two tribes and half 127 g. succeeded Eleazar 128 o. foretold the Israelites their victory c. 131 d. Phineas Elies son 143 e his wickedness and impiety ib. e. is slain 144 n. his wife then bare Ichabod 145 c. Phison a flood of Paradise 28 k. called also Ganges ib. k. Phora 28 k. Phraates King of Parthia slain 478 o. Phul King of the Syrians 250 d. for money made a peace ibid. d. Piety profitable 224 n o. Piety of Ancestors remembred 63 b. Piety contemned cause of calamities 132 n. 133 d. 144 k c. 168 i. 252 c d. Piety of Asa 224 i. of Josaphat 231 m. of Jotham 250 f. of Ezechias 252 d. of Josias 258 〈◊〉 and 259 h i. c. of Matthias c. 315 i. Pigeons dung sold 23â— g. Pilate succeedeth Gratus 480 i. bringeth Caesar's statues to Jerusalem 480 i. not admitted 480 k. crucifieth Christ 480 m. putteth Samaritans to flight 482 l. accused ib. sendeth the statues from Jerusalem 480 k. beateth the seditious 615 f. Pillage taken 255 l. Pillars raised 30 k. A Pillar called Galaad 48 i. Pitcher of water 169 g. Pit to be senced 117 c. Pit of swearing 40 h. Pits bituminous 37 b. Pity of Joseph towards his brethren 60 i. Placidus repulsed at Jotapata 692 i. his victory 682 o. burneth Bethenabris â—00 i. Placing of the vessels c. in the Temple 250 b c. and 21â— d. 211 h l. Plagues of Egypt 68 o. 69 a b c d e f g. 70 k. Plague in David's time 19â— f. Plague invadeth Judea 409 k. 412 g. Plat-forms erected 669 a. Plants sprang at first out of the earth 27 f. Plants not of four years growth 113 c. Plato admired 811 d. permitteth not Poets c. 813 b. Pledge to be restored to the poor 116 k. Plenty fore-signified 55 e f. Plotting of Antipater 433 e. The Plough found out and by whom 29 b. Poem of Homer 781 b. Poets cause multitudes of gods 813 a. Poyson tryed c. 458 k l. 601 b. Policy of Rebecca c. for her son 44 l. of Jacob to pacifie his brother 48 m. of the Gabeonites 124 m. of Joseph 9 e. â—0 k. 1â— e. of Jonathan 16 m. of Joseph 642 h. 665 c. 668 h. 10 l m. Politianus meets with Agrippa c. 625 c. inciteth the people to peace ib. e. Pompey Governour of Syria 362 d. marcheth against Aristobulus 363 l. 36â— h. besiegeth Jerusalem 36â— l. committeth Aristobulus to prison ib. 565 g. taketh the Temple 365 k. bestoweth the Priesthood on Hircanus ib. 366 o. spoileth not the Temple ib. d. 566 m. carrieth Aristobulus to Rome 567 a. beheadeth conspirators 56â— n o. Popedius accused 5â—5 f. Popularity of Alcimus 324 b c. Porch of the Temple 208 m. â—ired 747 a. Port of Caesarea 415 i. Port made by Herod 584 i k. Portion of Salpades daughters 109 f. Portion of Judea 659 f. Possession of Canaan prophecâ—ed of 62 i. Posterity of Ismael 40 l. Posterity of Giants extinguished 37 b. Posterity of Jethro possessed of Land 129 d. Posterity of Noah replenished the world 32 o. Posterity of Esau 50 l. of Jacob 61 b. Poyson not to be used 1â—7 a. Power given to save 59 f. Power of God every where 230 f. Power of Kings Wine and Women 277 i k l. Power of the soul â—74 l. Power of David and Solomon 805 f. Practice of Simeon and Levi 49 c. Prey that the Israelites got in war 77 b c. 109 a. 123 â— 124 l. Prayer of Noah 32 â— of Amram 63 b. of Moses 72 i. 101 d c. of Joshuah 123 f. of Samson 142 k of Solomon 211 k. of Samuel and the Israelites 148 k l. Praise of Abraham 43 d. of Jacob 62 i. of Joseph 62 k. of Joshua 77 c. and 128 n of Moses 120 k. of Samuel 16â— l. of Saul 172 k. of David 202 e. of Solomon 218 c. of Josaphat 235 m. of Nehemias 285 k. of Ananus 694 n. of Eleazar 819 d. Praise given to God 70 k l. Prediction of things to come â—18 m. Preparations for war burned 322 b. Presents of Abraham 42 k. of Jacob 57 e. of the Egyptians 70 k. of Abigail 169 b. of the Mesopotamians 184 i. of the Queen of Aethiopia and of Kings 215 f. 216 l. of Ptolomy to the Interpreters 392 o. of Herod 591 d. Preservation of Moses 63 g. 64 n. of Daniel and his companions 269 n. Preservation from blood-shed 169 b. Presidents in every City 112 k. and what manner of men they ought to be ibid. k. Pride of Amasias 248 a. of Ozias 249 o. of Senacherib 255 n. of Nebuchodonosor 269 n. of Balthasar 271 h. of John 698 m. Priest's
vestures 86 m. Priests registred 782 m. Priests abstain from wine 721 f. 790 o. Priests executed and why 754 m High Priests number and succession 540 n. Priesthood confirmed to Aaron and his sons 102 k. Priesthood to be transported fore-shewed 144 k. Princes of Syria 280 a. Principality affected by Adonias 199 d. by Costabarus 409 o. 698 m. 705 d. 711 f. Priscus slayeth Jonathan 747 c. Prisoners dismissed 251 n. Privileges granted to the Jews 305 b. 373 o c. 374 b c d. 375 h i k. Problems of Hiram c. 786 m. Prodigies preceding Jerusalem's destruction 753 a b c. Professors of wisdom burn themselves 774 n. Progâ—ny of Japheth 33 g. of Canaan 34 n. of the Sons of Sem 35 a. of Cham's sons 34 k. of Jacob 61 b. of Aaron 〈◊〉 n. of Herod 485 d. 480 h i. Prohibition of arms and iron-work 154 i. Profit how great redounded to King Pharaoh 61 f. Promise of God's assistance 110 k l. Promotion of Joseph 55 g. Prophecy of Jacob touching his posterity 62 i k. of the sacred Secretary 62 n. of Balaam 106 k. of Samuel 144 l 157 f. of Achias 217 k. 218 o. of Jadon 220 a. of Olda 259 k. Prophecy of the Captivity and delivery 263 h i. Prophet Moses a good Governour 1â—0 k. Prophet Nathan 181 c. 185 c. Achias 217 k. Jadon 217 o. Samaeus 221 f. Azarias 224 m. Elias 227 h. Gimon 224 m. Elizaeus 236 g. Esay 256 b. Jeremy 260 e. Ezechiel 261 n. Jonas 248 g. Naum 250 g. Aggaeus and Zacharias 280 d. Micheas 232 d. False Prophet discrediteth the true 220 f. 232 â— False Prophet deceiveth the people 537 d. Prosperity of Joseph 55 d. of Solomon 215 d e f g c. of Jeroboam 249 l. Prosperity maketh proud 247 a. 249 o. Prospect stopt up 538 n. Providence of God in saving Moses 63 f g. 64 n. of the Israelites 119 e. Provision of victuals 179 c. 576 h i. Provision for the Priests 285 m. Provision of things necessary for war 660 m n. Proves against Antipater 457 b c. 601 b c. Prudence of Joseph 55 c. 56 i. of Solomon 206 k. of Josephus 665 a b. Ptolemais described 616 l. besieged 351 b taken 352 d. Ptolomy Lagus obtaineth Egypt 297 m. seizeth Jerusalem by a stratagem ibid. 298 n. led the Jews away captive ib. n o. Ptolomy Philadelphus caused the Jews to be translated c. 297 n. his library 298 d. his Proclamation 299 k. his liberality 300 c. his Epistle to Eleazar c. 300 e. his gifts given to the Temple 301 d e. 302 i c. 303 h. c. his banqueâ— 303 n. Ptolomy Euergetes King of Egypt 307 l. incensed against Onias ibid. Ptolomy Philopater warreth against Antiochus 305 e. his death ibid. f. Ptolomy Epiphanes King of Egypt 312 g. his children ib. Ptolomy Philometor circumvented 313 h. succoureth Alexander 335 i. his death complotted ib. k. refuseth the Diadem of Asia ib. n. his fight and death 336 b. Ptolomy slayeth Simon 344 b. imprisoneth Hircanus's mother and brethren ib. his cruelty against them 344 d. murthereth them 344 e. Ptolomy Physcon 347 h. the Syrians request to him ib. Ptolomy Lathyrus 347 n. aideth Antiochus ib. cometh to aid â—he Ptolemaidans 351 c. besiegeth Ptolemais and why 351 f. overthroweth Alexander 352 c. driven out of Egypt 352 f. Ptolomy Mennaeus fined 362 f. adopteth Antigonus 378 b. Ptolomy's wife robbed 538 k. is slain 577 b. Punishment of Adam and Eve 28 n. of the Serpent ib. m. of Sodom 39 b c. a false witness 112 n. of Homicide committed ibid. n. of Saul 157 e. of Jadon 220 e. of Senacherib 256 f. of Nebuchadnezzar 260 g Punishment for honouring false Gods 217 i. 251 k l. Punishment of Aristobulus 350 i. Punishment of ravishers of Virgins 810 i. Purgations of women 48 i. Of Purifications the manner 123 g. 124 h. Purification used in the sacrifices 809 f. Purification of the body 810 i. Pursuit of Laban after Jacob 47 c. of the Egyptians after the Hebrews 71 b. Potephar an Egyptian Lord bought Joseph 52 n o. Publick Records burnt 763 b. Q Quadratus Governour of Syria 619 e. decideth the Jews and Samaritans debate ib. f. Quails fell amidst the Hebrews camp 75 b. 95 g. Qualities of the Egyptians described 62 m. Quantity of gold 216 i. Queen's house or palace 213 c. Queen of Aethiopia look Nicaule Queen Vasti refuseth to come to the banquet 286 d. deposed ibid. d e. Hard Questions dissolved 213 f g. Questions of Artaxerxes 277 i k l. Quintilius Varus Governour of Syria 445 b. pacifieth the seditious 467 b. delivereth the legion 469 f. assisteth the Romans 609 b. taketh Cities and Castles ibid. c. crucifieth the seditious 609 â— R. Rachel daughter of Laban 45 f. bringeth Jacob to her Father 46 h. stealeth away her Father's gods 47 b. how she hid them 47 b. taught by Jacob to contemn them ib. dieth in childbed 49 d. Race of the Chanaanites to be rooted out 126 n. Race of Gyants remained 129 d. Race of Achimelech murthered 166 k. Rage of Antiochus 817 d. Raguel a Priest of Madian 66 l. Father in law to Moses ib. m. cometh to Moses in Sinai 77 f. Rahab hid the spies 122 h. requireth of them an oath and why ibid. i. her and all hers saved 123 c. Reign of David 202 â— f. of Solomon 216 c. of Josaphat 237 m. of Herod 462 k. of Tiberius 615 g of Caius 617 â— of Agrippa 618 l. of Claudius 619 g. Railing of Goliah 159 d e. Rainbow a sign of atonement 32 l. Rain fore prophesied 227 h. Raising of a dead man 247 i. A Ram offered in Isaac's stead 41 e f. Ram an Engine 660 k. described ib. shaketh the tower 714 l. Rampires builded by the Romans 733 e. Rapines committed by day 686 l. Rapsaces Chieftain of the Assyrian Army 255 n. perswadeth Ezechias to submit ib. o. Rasis warreth against Achas 251 k. seizeth Elath ib. k. slain 252 a. Rational 87 d. Ravishment of Dinah revenged 49 b. punished ib. c. Rayment of Joseph 53 f. a proof against him 54 i. Rayment taken in war 127 a. Reading of the law 284. Reason described 815 d. hath dominion over passions ibid. d. Rebecca daughter of Bathuel 35 e. sister to Laban ib. â— sheweth courtesie to Abraham's servant 42 n. 43 â— procures his entertainment ib. b. married to Isaac 43 c. brought forth two twins ib. e. her devise for her son 44 l. Rebellion of Chore 101 c. of Siba 194 l m of the Antiochians 337 l m. of the Jews against the Romans 629 b Rebellion of Scythians and Sarmates 764 m. Rebellioâ—s punished 102 l. Rebels kill an Ambassadour 635 g. Rebels conquered 429 g. Reconciliation of Absalom 188 i. of Herod and his sons 587 d. of Pheroras with Herod 438 i. Records of the Greeks for the Jews antiquity 784 m. 785 a c. Reformation of God's Service 253 i k. Religion contemned cause
l. marrieth a wife ib. m. propoundeth a riddle ib. m. his acts against the Philistines 141 d e f. prayeth and why 141 d. betrayed by Dalila 142 h. the slaughter of the Philistines and of himself ibid. k. Samuel his parents 144 i. consecrated to God ibid. i God called him thrice ibid. k. fore-shewed the death of Eli and his sons 144 l. offereth sacrifice 148 l. comforteth the people ibid. his victory and recovery of lands 148 n. committeth the Common weal to his sons 149 b. troubled and why 149 e. bidden to create a King ib. f. sheweth the people's estate under a King ibid. anointeth Saul King 150 o. justifieth himself and why 153 b. striveth to reconcile Saul to God 157 c. killeth Agag 158 i. telleth Saul of God's displeasure 157 f. anointeth David King 158 n. his death burial and praise 168 l. Sanballat Governour of the Samaritans 293 k. followeth Alexander 294 b. buildeth a Temple ibid. f. Sanctuary 93 b. 209 h. 211 i. Sanctuaries or places of refuge for whom 109 â— Sand like glass 616 m. Sara daughter of Aram 35 o. Abraham's wife ibid. d. her beauty 36 l. King of Egypt enamoured on her ibid b. bringeth Agar to Abraham 38 i her age when she conceived Isaac 38 o preserved from Abimelech and how 39 e. brought forth Isaac ib. caused Ismael to be expelled c. 40 k l. affecteth Isaac ib. m. her death 41 f. Saraeus high Priest took Prisoner 265 l. Saturninus President of Syria 438 o. 4â—9 a. permitteth Herod to enter Arabia ib. b. his indifferent sentence 444 m Saul seeketh the lost Asses 150 k anointed King by God's commandment ib. o. confirmed therein 15 b. hideth himself ibid. f. saluted by the people for their King ib. f. promiseth the Jabesites assistance 152 l. killeth King Naas ib. n. sacrificeth and is reproved 154 l. overcometh the Philistines 155 e. would have slain Jonathan 156 h. always a conqueror ib. k. taketh and spareth Agag 157 b. slayeth the Amalekites and razeth their Cities 156 o. offendeth God 157 b. loseth his Kingdom and why ib. f. denied pardon renteth Samuel's garment ib. g. slew the Philistines 160 m. resolveth to kill David 162 i. darteth his Javelin at David 163 b. prophesieth 163 f. questioneth about David's absence c. 164 n. maketh an Oration to his Captains 165 f. pursueth David 167 e. condemneth himself and justifieth David 168 k. pursueth David again and his life saved 169 f. banisheth diviners 171 a. by a sorceress is foretold the event of the battel ib. c d. praised 172 k. is slain 173 f g. Scarcity fore-signified 55 e. how to be prevented 55 f. among the Israelites 95 e. very great in Claudius his time 97 d e. in Samaria 238 g h. Scarcity of corn 413 i k. Scaurus maketh peace with Aristobulus 362 b. Presidenâ— of Coelosyria 363 n. his war against Aretas 364 h. 5â—5 a. bribed ibid. Science of the celestial bodies 30 k. Schisar King of the Assyrians 133 b. oppressed the Israelites ibid. b. Scopas General of Ptolomy's Army 306 a. discomfited ib. overcometh the Jews 306 a b. Scythopolitans kill 3000 Jews 634 l. Sea of Pamphilia divided it self 72 n. Red Sea divided at the stroke of Moses's rod 72 k. returning to his course drowneth the Egyptians ibid. l. Brazen Sea 209 l. Sebas 196 e. Sebaste a haven 455 a. Secretary or Priest fore-telleth Moses's greatness 62 n. willeth him to be killed 64 n. Security promised to Rahab and hers 122 i. Sects of the Jews 339 m. 477 a. 612 l. Secrets of Syllaeus disclosed 599 d. Sedechias a false Prophet 231 e. contradicteth Micheas ib. e f. Sedechias King of Juda 262 d. revolteth ib. seduced ib. 263 h c. neglecteth the Prophet's counsel ib. o. surprised 264 f his eyes put out 265 h. his death ib. n. Sedition against Moses 95 e. 99 b. and 100 i. of Chore for the Priesthood 99 d. Sedition against Roboam 219 h. of the Samaritans against the Jews 298 b. among the people 312 k. of the Jews 494 h. betwixt Senate and people 516 h. Sedition at the Passover 464 l. between the Jews and Samaritans 534 l. for the golden Eagle 605 d. in Jerusalem 607 e. 621 d. between Greeks and Jews 634 h. threefold sedition 711 f. took the City 723 b. Seditious more impious than the Sodomites 724 h. Seditious 620 k l. beaten 615 f. bribe Albinus 621 d. fly to the Temple and why 624 n. gave not ear to those in authority 629 f put the Romans to flight 675 e. agree among themselves 712 o. 724 i. challenge the sodden child 749 a. summon Titus to parley 754 m. take away the King's Treasure 756 i. their utmost hope 756 m. kept in Acra and in Vaults 757 f. Seed of the Woman 28 n. shall bruise the Serpent's head ib Seeds at first grew out of the earth 27 f. Seeds not to be mixed together 113 d. Sehon King of the Amorites denieth passage to the Hebrews 104 m. overthrown by them ib. o. is slain ib. Seir what it signifies 43 e. Seir Esau's dwelling place 49 a. Seleucus Nicanor privilegeth the Jews 305 b. Seleucus Soâ—er reigneth in Asia 31â— f. Sem Noah's third son 32 o. covereth his father's shame 35 a. his progeny ib. b Semochonitis a lake 680 m. Semiramis built not Babylon 788 k. Senaar a plain 32 o. Senabarus one of the five Kings of Assyria 37 a. Senacherib surpriseth the Cities of Judah 255 l besiegeth Jerusalem ib. m. his Army stricken with the Pestilence 256 f. himself slain ib Senate perswadeth Claudius to resign 516 i. Senate's decree c. 378 f. Senate's answer to Agrippa 617 f. their repair to Claudius ddd 618 i. Senselesness of Achaz 252 b. Sentence against Herod's sons 593 e. Sephora Moses's wife 66 n. Sephoris walled 478 i. spoiled 22 h. entertaineth the Romans 635 b. Sepâ—lchre of David 202 o. of Memnon 618 l. Serpents tempting of Eve 28 l. his subtilty ib. l. his punishment ib. o. enemy to man ib. o. wherein his strength lyeth and how easily killed 29 a. Serpents very hurtful destroyed 65 d e. Servant of Elizeus 238 c. Servants of Solomon happy and why 215 e. Servant of Abraham taketh his oath 42 k. his prayer and care in discharge of his message ib. k. and 43 a b. Service of God neglected 252 b. Service of forreign gods 216 o. 248 b. 252 b. Service of Antipater 574 m. Services of the Gabeonites 125 a. Servitude of the Egyptians great 61 o. of the Hebrews insupportable 62 n. 67 a. and 68 i. Servitude of the Israelites 133 b. and why ibid. 134 k. 729 e. c. Seth son of Adam 30 i. a virtuous man ib. i. left a godly issue ib. k. his age and death 31 b. Sethosis King of Egypt 786 h. Seven men of Saul's kindred punished 195 n. Seventy Jews with John and Simon sent into Italy 765 f Seventy Interpreters 302 o. 801 a. Severity of Herod 416 e Sextus
and arrows 767 f. Storm 693 b. Stratagem of Moses 65 d. of the Ephraimites 129 e. of Joab 183 e. of Ptolomy 297 n. of Joseph 9 d. of Cestius 637 b. of Joseph 640 l. 641 e. 665 b. of the Jews 747 e. Straton's tower or Caesarea 412 c. 414 g. Streights of Engaddi 167 f. Strength of Sampson 141 e. and 142 k. Strength of Eleazar 666 o. of Netiras c. ib. Strife among the Priests 538 h. Stripes thirty nine 114 i. Stuff to build the Tabernacle of 80 l m. Subjection of the Israelites to the Moabites 133 d. to the Canaanites 134 k. to the Palestines 139 f. to the Assyrians 252 a. Subtilty of the Serpent 28 l. Subtilty of Jacob 44 k. of Lea and Rachel 46 o. of Laban 46 l. of Phara 62 o. of King Naas 151 g. of Michol 163 c. of Saul 168 i. of a woman 187 c. of the false Prophet 220 d. of Silo 578 l m. of Florus 624 i. Succession of the high Priests 540 n. Successor of Moses who 109 b. Successors of Alexander 297 m n. Successors of David 181 d. Successors of Nabuchodonosor 220 f. Sum of the Israelites taken 197 c. Sum of gold silver c. towards the building of the Temple 199 b. Sun made 23 e. the end course and motion thereof ib. e. Sun stood still 225 c. goes back 157 l. Superstition of the people reproved 223 k l. Supplication of Moses to God 74 o. Supplication of Joachas 246 f. Supplication of the Jews sent to Caius 617 c d. Supplication of the Israelites 148 k l. Supplies sent to Titus 677 c. Surprisal of the Ark 144 n. of Rabatha 180 i. Susac invadeth Judea 221 e. spoileth Jerusalem and the Temple ibid g. Sustenance faileth the Israelites 74 i. Swearing amongst the ancient Jews 42 k. and the manner thereof ibid. imposed and why 259 l. Sword of Goliah 160 m. 165 c. Sycophants of Agrippa 524 h. Syllaeus governeth the King's affairs 435 b. desireth Salome to wife 435 c d. accuseth Herod to Caesar 439 e. deferreth the payment of Herod's money ib. condemned to die 443 d. Symoborus one of the five Kings of Assyria 37 a. Syrians war against Achab 229 l. discomfitted 239 c. ib. f. led away captive 252 a. Syrians against David 181 g. T. Tabernacle builded 81 b. erected in the desart ib. d c. dedicated 89 d. and when ib. d. placed in Siloe 125 e. Table set in the Tabernacle 84 m. Tables of the ten Commandments 79f 80k placed in the Ark 84 h. Table of gold 211 i. 301 â— Talents 565 a. 568 l m. Talents of Gold 216 i. Talent how much 813 e. Tales credited 436 i. Talions law or law of like for like 117 b. Talk betwixt God and Cain 29 c. Talk of Jacob with Rachel 45 f. Talk of Laban with Jacob 46 h. Talk of David with Goliah 160 l. Tapsians put to the sword 250 e. and why ib. e. Tarichea besieged 676 k. taken 677 e f. Taricheans vanquished by Sea 679 h i. Task of the workmen of Solomon 207 d e. Task more grievous imposed c. 68 l. Taxation of the Jews 476 k. Tears of Esau 44 n. Tediousness of the Hebrews Journey 73 d e f. Teglaphalassar King of Assyria 251 o. led away the Israelites captive 252 a. slayeth Rasis and taketh the Syrians prisoners 252 a. gold and silver given him ibid. b. Temperance of Saul 151 f. Tempest after Samuel's prayer 153 f. Tempest caused by Jonas 249 i. Tempest drowned those of Joppe 674 m. Tempest of miseries assails Jerusalem 698 o. Temple when builded 207 f. height length and breadth thereof 208 m. with all the other things belonging thereunto 209. when consecrated 210 g. spoiled 221 g cleansed 252 e. repaired 249 h. burned 265 i k. began to be builded 279 k. finished 281 i. dedicated ib. g. desolate three years 318 f. repurged ib. burned 476 m the strongest fortress of the City 688 h. builded on a strong hill 719 f. consumed with fire 750 m. One Temple to be builded and why 111 e. Temples of Idolaters to be destroyed 111 a. Temple on mount Garizim 296 a. laid desolate 346 c. Temples builded by Herod 417 h. Temple of Apollo 431 a. Temple of Isis pulled down and why 481 f. Temple builded by Vespasian 767 c. Temple of Onias shut up 778 k. Tempting of the Serpent 24 i. of Josephs mistress 53 ab c. Ten Commandments 79 e. Tenths of the fruits 111 g. Tenths for the poor Levites and Festivals 114 k. Term of man's life 35 e. Term of exile for chance medley 109 d. Terror among the enemies 235 l. 239 o. Testament of Herod 459 d. altered 601 e. Testimonies of the Jews antiquity 786 o. 787 d. 788 n. 789 b c d. 791 c. Thanksgiving of the Israelites for their deliverance 72 n Tharbis the King's daughter of Aethiopia 65 g. enamoured of Moses ibid. g. yieldeth the City of Saba and is Married to Moses ibid. i. Thares Abraham's Father 35 c. went out of Chaldea to Charran ibid. d. his age and death ibid. Thargal a Captain of the Assyrians 37 b. sacked Syria and extinguished the Gyants 37 b. Theatre built by Herod 410 g. Theft committed how punished 116 l. Thermuthis Pharaoh's daughter 64 i. taketh Moses out of the water ib. i. adopteth him for her son and preserveth him from death 64 m. Theudas the Magician 532 o. his perswasion to the people ibid. Thieves confident 636 m. Thieves apprehend Ananias's kindred 539 f. Thieves taken by Herod 438 n. Thieves murder in the day 620 l. work much mischief ib. n. Thieves spoil the Country 686 k. make a high Priest 686 n. Thievery punished 416 b. 438 m n. Things unclean 93 b. Thirst oppressed the Israelites 75 e. Thirst of the Arabians 403 k. Thirst of Sampson 141 d. of David 816 m. Thobel a warrier 29 c. invented the Art of Forging ibid. g. Thola a Judg of Israel 138 i. Tholomaeus the Arch-Thief 527 d. Ten thousand thronged to death 618 o. Thraldom of the Canaanites 215 b. Three admirable works 721 b. Three valiant Jews 733 g. Threefold sedition divided into two parts 714 k. Thrice in the year the Hebrews ought to meet 111 f. Throne of Solomon 213 d. Thucidides History 781 e. Tiberians meet Joseph 6 k. their Letters to Agrippa 10 i. intend war against Joseph 18 o. submit themselves to Vespasian 675 f. 676 b. Tiberias builded 478 n. in danger of ruiue 22 i. recovered 641 e. Tiberius Emperour 478 m. rejecteth Venones suit 479 e. punished Isis Priests 481 f. thrusteth the Jews out of Rome 482 k. his league with Artabanus 483 f. his death 485 c. why he deferred to give audience to Embassadors and Prisoners 488 n. c. why changed not Governours ibid. k. addicted to the Mathematicks 491 l. recommendeth the Empire to Caius ibid. d. his Funeral 492 l. Tiberius a Governour of Judaea 533 b. crucifieth the Sons of Judas ibid. c. Tiberius a Governour
Phinees 108 k l. Zeal of the People 259 h. Zeal of Elias 228 a b e. Zeal of Matthias and his Sons 315 i. The Zealous occasion of violences 687 â— why so called ibid. fight with the Citizens 689 c. require help of the Idumaeans 690. m. their fiction disproved 691 c. Tyrannize over the living and dead 698 i. take Simons wife 705 a. fight with the Idumaeans 706 l. Zeb killed by Gideon 136 l. Zelpha Leas handmaid 460. beareth to Jacob Gad and Asar ibid. Zenodorus liveth by spoil 415 n. accused by Herod 416 b c. his Country given to Herod 438 l. Ziphians promise to deliver David 167 d. labour again to betray David 169 f. Zoilus a Tyrant of Stration 351 b. Zorobabel Prince of the Jews 279 h i. obtaineth praise and rewards 278 a. and why ibid. An Exact and orderly Collection of all the Scriptures which are handled by Josephus in his History of the Antiquity of the Jews set down in Chapter and Verse as they lie in the Bible whereby a Man may find on a sudden any thing wherein the Author doth either Expound Enlarge or Alter the words of Scripture And hereby the Reader may turn to every Verse as familiar as to the Bible Genesis Chap. Vers Fol. Let. 1 1. ad finem 27 e 2 2 27 G  10. 11 28 i  13. 14 28 K  17 28 i  19 28 h  21 28 i 3 1 ad 9 28 K. l  12 ad 18 28 l m n  20 28 H 4 1 ad 12 29 a b c.  14 ad 24 29 d e f g  25 26 30 h i 5 3 4 5 30 i K  3 ad 24 30 l m n  24 ad finem 31 a b 6 12 ad 13 30 m n  14 ad 15 30 n 7 2 30 n  4 31 d  7 8 30 n o  17 ad 20 31 e f g 8 1 31 d e  7 8 31 d e  16 17 31 e f  20 21 32 i k 9 11 ad 15 31 l m n  18 19 31 n o  19 ad 25 34 n o 10 8 9 33 a b  10 ad finem 33 g c. 11 2 ad 9 33 b c D 12 1 ad 4 35 e f g  7 36 k  〈…〉 â—◠〈…〉  〈…〉 â—â— l m 13 1 ad 10 36 n o 14 1 ad 12 37 B c  13 ad 20 37 d e  20 ad 24 37 E f 15 1 ad 13 37 f g h 16 1 ad 7 38 i k  9 10 16 17 38 K 17 12 c. 38 l 18 1 ad 16 38 n o c.  17 ad 23 39 a 19 1 ad 8 39 B  11 ad 26 39 c  30 ad 38 39 c d 20 1 ad 6 39 d  11 ad 16 39 f g h 21 1 2 3 40 m  14 ad 21 40 i k  30 31 40 k l 22 1 ad 4 40 m n o  7 8 9 41 a b  10 11 41 d e  12 13 16 17 41 e f 23 per totum 41 g h i 24 1 ad 23 42 K l m  22 29 ad 60 42 N O a b 25 7 8 43 d  21 ad 23 43 â— Â 24 25 43 e 26 1 2 6 43 f  13 ad 16 43 f g  19 ad 21 44 h  26 ad 29 44 h i  30 ad 35 44 i k 27 1 ad 5 44 k  6 ad 30 44 l m  30 ad 42 44 n  42 ad finem 44 n m 28 1 ad 10 45 a  10 ad 19 45 b c  20 45 c d 29 1 ad 9 45 d e  9 ad 12 45 f g  12 ad 23 46 h i  22 23 46 i  23 ad 27 46 k l  27 ad 35 46 l m 30 14 15 16 46 n o  18 24 47 a B 31 1 2 3 47 b  19 23 47 b c  24 26 47 c d  31 ad 36 47 e f  46 47 48 i 32 1 ad 7 48 k l  13 ad 18 48 m  24 ad 30 48 n o 33 1 2 c. 49 a  13 17 49 a b 34 2 3 4 49 b  21 25 49 c 35 12 49 c d  16 17 18 49 d e  26 49 f 36 67 50 k l 〈…〉 50 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉  5 ad 9 51 a b  9 ad 21 51 c d e  22 ad 34 52 h i k c. 39 7 9 10 52 o  11 12 53 e f  14 ad 23 54 h i k 40 5 9 ad 15 54 m n  16 18 54 o 41 1 ad 17 55 b c  18 ad 36 55 e  42 43 55 g  47 ad f 55. c 42 1 ad 10 56 k l  17 56 o  21 24 57 b c  36 57 c d 43 1 ad 14 57 d e  11 16 57 e f  16 29 57 f g h 44 2 ad 12 58 i k  12 58 n o  18 ad finem 59 a b 45 1 ad 16 60 i k  16 60 l m  26 ad 28 60 m n 46 1 ad 5 61 a b  6 ad 26 61 b c  30 61 d 47 2 61 d  3 ad 10 61 e  16 ad 20 61 f g 49 33 62 i 50 13 14 62 k  22 ad 26 62 k l Exodus 1 1 ad 11 62 m n  16 22 62 n o 2 1 2 3 63 a b c  1 2 3 to 10 63 d e  3 4 5 64 h i  9 10 11 64 l m n c.  11 ad 14 66 k l  16 ad 19 66 l m  21 66 n 3 1 2 3 66 o 4 2 ad 9 67 c d  10 ad 26 67 e f  20 67 g 5 1 2 68 h  5 ad 19 68 l m 6 6 68 m 7 10 68 o  19 69 a 8 16 69 C  24 69 D 9 3 69 e  6 69 e  10 23 69 e 10 14 69 f  22 69 f  28 70 h 12 2 70 h i 〈…〉 16 70 i  29 33 70 k 14 2 7 9 71 a b  11 12 71 e  13 71 f  14 71 g  15 72 h i  21 22 27 72 k l 15 1 2 3 72 n o  1 ad 22 74 l m   72 h i  23 25 72 o 16 1 73 d  3 73 e  15 73 e  23 73 f  15 16 73 g 17 1 ad 5 74 i k c.  8 9 10 76 i k  13 16 77 c d 18 1 2 77 f g  13 ad 24 78 h i  24 78 k 19 1 2 3 4 c. 78 m n  16 78 o  25 79 B 20 1 ad 17 79 e 21 2 ad 7 116 l  23 117 a